Binding of tritiated yohimbine to platelets in women with maternity blues.
Platelet alpha 2-adrenoceptor binding was measured in 108 women in the 36th week of pregnancy, at ten and twenty days and at three and six months post-partum. An age matched non-pregnant control group of women (N = 25) was also studied. The number (Bmax) of alpha 2-adrenoceptors was elevated antepartum but fell to control values on the tenth post-partum day. At three and six months post-partum, however, alpha 2-adrenoceptor Bmax was again increased. Women who developed maternity blues (N = 59) had significantly more platelet alpha 2-adrenoceptors than those who did not (N = 49) at both ten and twenty days post-partum. In addition their alpha 2-adrenoceptor Bmax was greater than controls at all time points measured except the tenth post-partum day. In contrast, the alpha 2-adrenoceptor Bmax of women without the blues did not differ from controls at any stage. It is suggested that women who develop maternity blues may have a relatively enduring abnormality in alpha 2-adrenoceptor sensitivity which is associated with psychological symptoms when concentrations of circulating sex-steroids suddenly change.
Best
N R
NR
Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University.
Wiley
M
M
Stump
K
K
Elliott
J M
JM
Cowen
P J
PJ
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000097:blood; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D015016:Yohimbine