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Adaptive changes in basal and stress-induced HPA activity in lactating and post-lactating female rats

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Colin Ingram

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Abstract

Lactation represents a period of marked adaptation of the HPA axis. We characterised basal and stress-induced HPA activity during lactation and weaning using dynamic blood sampling in rats. Pulsatile and diurnal corticosterone release occurred at all reproductive stages studied (virgin; day 10 of lactation; 3 and 14 days after weaning). However, in lactating rats the diurnal peak was significantly reduced, resulting in a flattened rhythm, and three days after weaning basal HPA activity was markedly suppressed: the number of pulses and underlying basal levels of corticosterone were reduced and the diurnal rise phase delayed. Marked changes in the HPA response to 10 min noise stress also occurred at these times: being completely absent in lactating animals, but restored and highly prolonged in early weaned animals. Injection of methylprednisolone (2 mg, iv) was used to determine whether changes in fast glucocorticoid suppression correlated with these adaptive changes. Methylprednisolone induced a rapid suppression of corticosterone in virgin animals, but this effect was markedly attenuated in lactating and early weaned animals and was accompanied by significant changes in relative expression of hippocampal glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA. All effects were reversed or partially reversed 14 days after weaning. Thus, the presence of the pups has an important influence on regulation of the HPA axis, and whilst post-partum adaptations are reversible, acute weaning evokes marked reorganisation of basal and stress-induced HPA activity.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Windle RJ, Wood SA, Kershaw YM, Lightman SL, Ingram CD

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Endocrinology

Year: 2013

Volume: 154

Issue: 2

Pages: 749-761

Print publication date: 07/01/2013

Date deposited: 31/01/2013

ISSN (print): 0013-7227

ISSN (electronic): 1945-7170

Publisher: The Endocrine Society

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2012-1779

DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1779

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