Stress hormones may interfere with new mothers’ prolactin levels and negatively affect nurturing behaviour

This summary is a project of the Institute for Community Engaged Scholarship (ICES) at the University of Guelph, with project partners: the Catalyst Centre, SPARK Program at the University of Guelph, and Knowledge Mobilization Unit at York University. This project is part of the Pan-Canadian Research Impact Network.Mice that couldn’t produce the LRF protein displayed several postpartum depression-like symptoms, including severe maternal neglect and increased aggression. The LRF protein increases the levels of prolactin, a hormone involved in nurturing and milk production, by counteracting the effects of stress hormones called glucocorticoids.Agri-Food and Rural Link, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs - University of Guelph Agreemen