endo parental care

• What hormones are involved in maternal and paternal care?

  Oxytocin, prolactin, and testosterone
• How does delivery method affect bonding hormones?

  Vaginal delivery is associated with higher oxytocin levels than cesarean delivery
• What changes occur in gray matter during late pregnancy?

  • Gray matter becomes more concentrated (shrinks)
  • Has a short-term negative impact on verbal recall memory
  • Indicates brain specialization
• What impact does parental care have on the HPA axis of offspring?

  Parental care can influence the reactivity of the HPA axis in offspring
• What happens to the amygdala during pregnancy?

  The amygdala increases in volume and becomes more reactive
• What emotional reactions does the amygdala drive?

  Fear, anxiety, and aggression
• What happens to reward centers of the brain when viewing pictures of one's own children?

  They become activated
• What are the stages of parental involvement related to oxytocin and bonding?

  1. Labor
  2. Breastfeeding
  3. Positive pregnancy test
  4. Birth
  5. Baby kicks
  6. 6 months
  7. 12 months
• What is the effect of scheduled cesarean delivery on oxytocin levels?

  It is associated with lower oxytocin levels in the mother
• How does oxytocin affect parental care?

  It increases affectionate contact with the baby
• What is the result of the enthusiastic stranger paradigm test for the OT group?

  They had more active attempts to stop the stranger
• What increases oxytocin in both parents?

  Touch
• What role does prolactin play in parental behaviors?

  It stimulates parental behaviors
• What happens to sex drive during periods of parental care due to prolactin?

  Prolactin shuts down sex drive
• How does infant scent affect testosterone levels in fathers?

  It decreases testosterone levels
• What effect do human tears have on testosterone levels?

  They lower testosterone levels
• What are the effects of parental care on the HPA axis development?

  • Parental presence helps attenuate stress response
  • Neglect leads to heightened HPA-axis reactivity
  • Maternal sensitivity and intrusiveness affect cortisol levels
• What is the effect of maternal presence on infant stress response?

  It helps to attenuate the stress response
• How does neglect affect cortisol levels in children?

  Neglected children have higher cortisol levels in response to stressors
• What is the relationship between maternal behaviors and cortisol levels in children?

  Maternal sensitivity is linked to lower cortisol levels
• How does parental care alter glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression?

  • Cortisol binds to GR in the hippocampus
  • Higher GR levels improve cortisol detection
  • Better recovery from stress with higher GR expression
• What is the significance of maternal hormones on offspring behavior and physiology?

  Maternal hormones can shape behavior and physiology in offspring