Placental glucocorticoid receptors are not affected by maternal depression or SSRI treatment

Abstract

Background: Prenatal depression is common, with an estimate that up to one in five pregnant women suffers from depressive symptoms. Maternal depression is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth-weight. Such outcomes possibly affect offspring development. Previous studies suggest placental RNA levels of the glucocorticoid receptor are altered by maternal depression or anxiety; this stress may affect the placenta of male and female foetuses differently. However, it is unknown if the protein levels and activity of this receptor are additionally affected in women with depressive symptoms or being pharmacologically treated for depression.

Methods: In this study, we investigated whether the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) in the placenta is affected by maternal depression and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) treatment. Placentas from 45 women with singleton, term pregnancies were analysed by Western blot to determine glucocorticoid receptor levels, and by DNA-binding capacity to measure glucocorticoid receptor activation.

Results: There were no differences in levels of the glucocorticoid receptor or activity between groups (control, depressive symptoms, and SSRI treatment; n = 45). Similarly, there was no difference in placental glucocorticoid receptor levels or activity dependent upon foetal sex.

Conclusion: Maternal depression and SSRI treatment do not affect the glucocorticoid receptors in the placenta.

Keywords:

• NR3C1
• pregnancy
• prenatal depression
• SSRI
• Western blot

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all BASIC study participants and staff at Akademiska University Hospital delivery unit for sample collection.

Disclosure statement

A.S. occasionally serves as an invited speaker at scientific meetings for Ferring Pharmaceuticals. I.S.P. occasionally serves on advisory boards or act as invited speaker at scientific meetings for MSD, Bayer Health Care, Peptonics, Shire/Takeda, and Lundbeck A/S. Å.E., A.H., M.H., T.K.K., and S.L. have no conflicts of interests to declare.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council [VR:521–2013-2339 and VR:523–2014-2342]; Födelsefonden; and Lions.

Notes on contributors

Åsa Edvinsson

Åsa Edvinsson, PhD, is a postdoc at Uppsala University. She received her Master of Medical Science, Biomedicine and her PhD from Uppsala University. Her doctoral thesis focused on inflammation, placenta, and peripartum depression.

Angela Hoyer

Angela Hoyer, Msc, is a research assistant at Karolinska Institutet in the field of asthma research in children. She received her Master Degree in Molecular Medicine from Uppsala University, and her Bachelor Degree from Erlangen University, Germany.

Malin Hansson

Malin Hansson, MD, works as a doctor at Hudiksvall Hospital, Sweden. She received her medical degree from Uppsala University.

Theodora Kunovac Kallak

Theodora Kunovac Kallak, PhD, is a researcher at Uppsala University. Her research activities cover genitourinary symptoms of menopause, infertility, gynecological cancers, maternal health during pregnancy and the effect of the future health of the offspring.

Inger Sundström-Poromaa

Inger Sundström-Poromaa, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Uppsala University. Her research interests include adverse mood effects of hormonal contraception, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, peripartum depression, and brain imaging.

Alkistis Skalkidou

Alkistis Skalkidou, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Uppsala University, senior consultant at Akademiska University Hospital, and serves as President of the Gynecologic Endocrinology group of the Swedish Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Her research activities include peripartum depression and its effects on the offspring, ultrasound pregnancy dating, and studies on vulvodynia.

Susanne Lager

Susanne Lager, PhD, is a researcher and a docent in Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology at Uppsala University. Her research interests include pregnancy complications, infections, maternal substance abuse, and placenta.