Abstract
The discovery of stem cells in the adult brain has generated tremendous interest in identifying factors that could prompt them to promote neurogenesis and repair in vivo. During pregnancy, the functions of several physiological systems in the mother are altered in order to promote fetal growth and rearing of the newborn. We show here that the production of new neuronal progenitors in the forebrain subventicular zone is stimulated during pregnancy in female mice, and that the effect is mediated by the hormone prolactin. The neuronal progenitors then migrate to produce new olfactory interneurons, an effect likely important for maternal behaviour as olfactory discrimination is critical for recognition and rearing of offspring. Remarkably, neurogenesis occurs even in females that mate with sterile males, implying that forebrain neurogenesis is a maternal adaptation to pregnancy that anticipates a need during the postpartum period. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S62 (2004)]
