Neurophysiological and cognitive changes in pregnancy

Characterizing the Brain Structural Adaptations Across the Motherhood Transition

“…The transition to motherhood is characterized by unparalleled hormonal fluctuations that orchestrate the physiological changes that mark pregnancy, parturition, and lactation ( 26 , 27 , 29 , 30 ). Sex-steroid hormones such as progesterone and estradiol (E 2 ) are mainly produced by the placenta during pregnancy ( 31 ).…”

“…Sex-steroid hormones such as progesterone and estradiol (E 2 ) are mainly produced by the placenta during pregnancy ( 31 ). Accordingly, they increase steadily across the three trimesters, fall off rapidly at parturition after placental separation, and remain low during postpartum ( 29 , 30 ). Oxytocin and prolactin are neurohormones synthesized by the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary and are released both centrally and peripherally from the posterior and anterior pituitary, respectively ( 32 , 33 ).…”

“…Oxytocin and prolactin are neurohormones synthesized by the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary and are released both centrally and peripherally from the posterior and anterior pituitary, respectively ( 32 , 33 ). Oxytocin levels remain inhibited during pregnancy and rise at parturition, following a pulsatile secretion pattern to regulate uterine contractions and stimulate milk ejection ( 30 ). Prolactin levels increase during pregnancy, to prepare the breasts for lactation ( 29 , 30 ).…”

“…Oxytocin levels remain inhibited during pregnancy and rise at parturition, following a pulsatile secretion pattern to regulate uterine contractions and stimulate milk ejection ( 30 ). Prolactin levels increase during pregnancy, to prepare the breasts for lactation ( 29 , 30 ). Prolactin also stimulates lactogenesis in the breast epithelial cells [( 26 ), see section Lactation], but the high progesterone levels during pregnancy inhibit this process, ensuring that lactation does not initiate beforehand [( 34 ), see section The prolactin system.…”

Reproduction-Associated Hormones and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis

“…During pregnancy, the levels of reproduction-related hormones, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estrogen, progesterone, relaxin, prolactin (PRL), and oxytocin (OT), exhibit sharp variations [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] (Figure 1). Striking changes in cognition and behavior also occur during pregnancy and postpartum, involving multiple neuropsychological aspects such as learning, memory, mood, and childcare.…”