Maternity: Oxytocin circuits during birth and lactation

Maternity transforms body, brain and behavior. A new study analyzing the activity of oxytocin neurons across birth and lactation revealed strengthening of suckling responses in mice. Although this did not involve major rewiring of inputs to oxytocin neurons, inhibition from the stria terminalis was found to pattern the suckling responses.

Automated summary

A new study found that the activity of oxytocin neurons changes during birth and lactation. Inhibition from the stria terminalis was found to affect the suckling responses.