The Corticotropin-Releasing Factor system in lactating rats: implications in the regulation of maternal behavior with special focus on the BNST

摘要: The survival of the offspring strongly depends on adequate expression maternal behavior. Any dysregulations during peripartum period can easily result in behavioral or physiological maladaptations that are detrimental to as well mother herself. One factor, potentially contributing peripartum, is corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system, which triggers nearly every and response stress. Given role CRF system lactation still under-investigated I aimed characterize its implications regulation behavior lactating rats. Therefore, used a variety methods including situ hybridization, ELISA, repeated intravenous blood sampling, central local acute pharmacological manipulation receptors (CRF-R) binding protein (CRF-BP) followed by various tests. For manipulation, focused bed nucleus stria terminalis (BNST) given abundant most members family. In present thesis, showed needs be down-regulated postpartum activation CRF-R BNST impaired care aggression, increased anxiety-related but had no effect motivation. Importantly, effects differed specifically subdivisions depending subtype. In mpBNST, predominantly CRF-R2 reduced aggression while both CRF-R1 mediated adBNST, solely affected care; stimulation nursing arched back time-dependent manner. These changes following specific adBNST might indirectly via hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Interestingly, could demonstrate CRF-BP, appears sequester extracellular / urocortin 1 inhibit their CRF-R, has emerged potent regulator required down-regulation activity especially mpBNST. conclusion, appearance postpartum, partly achieved supported altered patterns ligands CRF-BP. This balanced interplay family essential enable showing and, thus, increase her fitness.