Lactation changes how mom’s neurons communicate, but it’s reversible

Summary: During lactation, the cell voltage of TIDA neurons in the hypothalamus oscillates more frequently, increasing firing. The change is reversible and returns to normal once the mother stops lactating.

Source: SfN

Lactation temporarily changes how a mother’s neurons behave, according to new research in mice published in Journal of Neuroscience.

Mothers experience profound changes in their body after giving birth, many of which are controlled by the hormone prolactin. Neurons in the hypothalamus called TIDA neurons regulate prolactin secretion as it fluctuates during the estrous cycle. However, during lactation, the TIDA neurons stop keeping prolactin levels in check, teasing the possibility that they may be altering their properties in response to motherhood.

Thörn Pérez et al. examined the electrical behavior of TIDA neurons in mice both during lactation and throughout the estrous cycle. In order to regulate prolactin, the voltage of TIDA neurons oscillates up and down: when the cell voltage is less negative, it fires more often, while a more negative cell fires less often. The scientists observed that the cell voltage oscillates more frequently during lactation, meaning it fires more often overall. They also fire out of rhythm with each other. These changes are fully reversible — the cells return to normal when the moms start weaning.

This is a drawing of a mouse breastfeeding
The membrane voltage of TIDA neurons oscillates more during lactation (right). The image is credited to Thörn Pérez et al., JNeurosci 2020.

During all stages of the estrous cycle, the neurons behaved normally, meaning the neurons change because of motherhood, rather than prolactin levels.

About this neuroscience research article

Source:
SfN
Media Contacts:
Calli McMurray – SfN
Image Source:
The image is credited to Thörn Pérez et al., JNeurosci 2020.

Original Research: The study will appear in Journal of Neuroscience.

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