Does Interrelationship of Allopregnanolone andTetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone during Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression Exist? A Review of the Current Evidence

Abstract

Pregnancy and postpartum changes affect more than a half of women in the world. Neuroactive steroids play a vital role in mental health, behavior, mood development, neuron-protection and memory. This review sums up what is wellknown regarding the two types of neuroactive steroids viz. allopregnanolone (ALP) and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC). There is a strong correlation between body progesterone concentration and ALP production. The stage of estrus cycles determines the levels of ALP in body, however, THDOC is a stress induced neuroactive steroid and its level is changeable with the type and severity of stress. The physiological response of stress is affected by THDOC and influences paraventricular nucleus in hypothalamus which in turn controls hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axis. Both neuroactive steroids are potent endogenous modulators of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors and their production gets higher during pregnancy. Now a question arises “do both classes of neuroactive steroids have a potent correlation in their action?” This manuscript will bring you up to date on the interaction and function of these two during pregnancy and postpartum depression.