Oxytocin and depression in the perinatal period—a systematic review

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is the most common postnatal psychiatric disorder, and it represents a considerable problem to the health and well-being of women and their families. Several pathogenic mechanisms have been identified in PPD, and recently, oxytocin (OT), known to be involved in childbirth and lactation, has drawn attention as a possible diagnostic and therapeutic tool in this disorder. The aim of this review was to assess and summarize the current literature on the relationship between OT as a potential depressive biomarker and depression in the perinatal period. We conducted a literature search on four electronic databases (Pubmed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Science Direct) by applying the following search terms: oxytocin AND (postpartum OR postnatal OR perinatal OR peripartum) AND (depression OR depressive). Six studies were included and a total of 620 pregnant women were recruited and completed the follow-up. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using self-report scales, and in three studies, the diagnosis of major depression was additionally confirmed using semi-structured interviews. Peripheral OT levels and depression were assessed during pregnancy and/or after delivery. Higher OT levels were associated with lower depressive symptoms, even if this association lacked statistical significance in two studies. Although some studies are beginning to shed light upon the complex nature of OT's effect in depression, its role as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in PPD is still unclear. Future research is needed to clarify the neuroendocrinological and psychosocial particularities of mothers with PPD and to define a specific profile associated with OT dysfunction.

Neonatal interventions differently affect maternal care quality and have sexually dimorphic developmental effects on corticosterone secretion

“…However, Stamatakis et al (2015) have shown an increase in the expression of oxytocin receptors in several brain areas in H dams, which lasted up to PND 22. Oxytocin levels appear to be inversely correlated with depressive‐like symptoms in the postpartum period, in humans (Moura et al, 2016). MS mothers in our study did not exhibit an increase in oxytocin production at the analysis day, despite their higher frequency of maternal activities, a neurobehavioral pattern that has been previously referred to as “attenuated nursing efficiency” by Murgatroyd and Nephew (2013), regarding another model of maternal stress.…”

A tumultuous transition to motherhood: Altered brain and hormonal responses in mothers with postpartum depression

“…Specifically, increased symptoms of PPD have been associated with decreased plasma oxytocin responses to breastfeeding at 8 weeks postpartum . These findings suggest that oxytocin dysregulation observed during pregnancy, as well as the postpartum period, may present as a risk factor for the development of PPD and that oxytocin response may be diminished in mothers with PPD …”

“…63 These findings suggest that oxytocin dysregulation observed during pregnancy, as well as the postpartum period, may present as a risk factor for the development of PPD and that oxytocin response may be diminished in mothers with PPD. 64 However, in contrast to these findings, Massey et al 65 with PPD, considering that PPD has generally been associated with low oxytocin as was discussed above.…”

Brain gene expression in a novel mouse model of postpartum mood disorder

“…qPCR analysis was performed for five of the most highly-differentially expressed genes from [Moura et al, 2016;Gammie et al, 2016]. Whilst the direction of expression difference was generally consistent across the microarray and qPCR analyses for these genes, only two genes (Cyp2g1 and Stoml3)…”