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

Abstract

Steroid sulfatase (STS) cleaves sulfate groups from steroid hormones; its expression/activity increases in late pregnancy and into the postpartum period. STS-deficient human and mouse mothers display elevated psychopathology and abnormal behaviour respectively; in mice, these effects can be partially normalised by antipsychotic (ziprasidone) administration.

Keywords

• female
• g-protein coupled receptor
• mice
• postpartum depression
• postpartum psychosis
• steroid sulfatase