Dynamic signaling between the endocrine system (ES) and the nervous system (NS) is essential for brain and body homeostasis. In particular, reciprocal interaction occurs during pregnancy and motherhood that may involve changes in some brain plasticity processes. Prolactin (PRL), a hormone with pleiotropic effects on the NS, promotes maternal behavior and has been linked to modifications in brain circuits during motherhood; however, it is unclear whether PRL may regulate synaptic plasticity. Therefore, the main aim of the present work was to determine the cellular and molecular mechanisms triggered by PRL that regulate synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. By analyzing extracellular recordings in CA3‐CA1 synapses of hippocampal slices, we report that PRL modifies short and long‐term synaptic plasticity in female mice of reproductive age, but not in sexually immature females or adult males. This effect is carried out through mechanisms that include participation of GABA_A receptors and activation of the JAK2‐mediated signaling pathway. These findings show for the first time how PRL enhances the synaptic strength in hippocampal circuits and that this effect is sexually dimorphic, which would influence complex brain processes in physiological conditions like pregnancy and lactation.

中文翻译：

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催乳素增强育龄雌性小鼠海马突触可塑性

内分泌系统 (ES) 和神经系统 (NS) 之间的动态信号传导对于大脑和身体的稳态至关重要。特别是，在怀孕和孕产期间发生的相互作用可能涉及某些大脑可塑性过程的变化。催乳素 (PRL) 是一种对 NS 具有多效性作用的激素，可促进母体行为，并与母性期间大脑回路的改变有关；然而，尚不清楚 PRL 是否可以调节突触可塑性。因此，本工作的主要目的是确定由 PRL 触发的调节海马突触可塑性的细胞和分子机制。通过分析海马切片 CA3-CA1 突触的细胞外记录，我们报告 PRL 改变了育龄雌性小鼠的短期和长期突触可塑性，但在性未成熟的女性或成年男性中则不然。这种效果是通过包括 GABA 参与的机制来实现的_{JAK2介导的信号通路的}受体和激活。这些发现首次表明 PRL 如何增强海马回路中的突触强度，并且这种效应是两性的，这将影响怀孕和哺乳等生理条件下的复杂大脑过程。