Animal models of postpartum depresion revisited

Abstract

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a heterogeneous mood disorder and the most frequent psychiatric complicationof the postnatal period. Given its potential long-lasting repercussions on the well-being of the mother and theinfants, it should be a priority in public health. In spite of efforts devoted to clinical investigation and preclinicalstudies, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of this disorder remain unknown in detail. Much of theprogress in the area has been made from animal models, especially rodent models. The aim of this mini-review isto update the current rodent models in PPD research and their main contributions to the field. Animal models arecritical tools to advance understanding of the pathophysiological basis of this disorder and to help the development of new therapeutic strategies. Here, we group PPD models into 2 main categories (Models based onhormone manipulations, Models based on stress exposure), each of which includes different paradigms thatreflect risk factors or physiological conditions associated with this disease. Finally, we provide an overview ofemerging models that provide new perspectives on the study of possible pathophysiological factors related toPPD, to contribute to tackling potential therapeutic targets.