Variation in genes and hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in female mood disorders – A systematic review and meta-analysis
•This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of hormonal functioning in depression.•Women’s increased risk for depression may suggest an involvement of sex hormones.•Women with PMDD appear to have lower levels of oestradiol in the luteal phase.•Women with depression unrelated to reproduction appea...
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Published in | Frontiers in neuroendocrinology Vol. 62; p. 100929 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Elsevier Inc
01.07.2021
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | •This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of hormonal functioning in depression.•Women’s increased risk for depression may suggest an involvement of sex hormones.•Women with PMDD appear to have lower levels of oestradiol in the luteal phase.•Women with depression unrelated to reproduction appear to have lower T and DHEA-S levels.
Women’s increased risk for depression during reproductive transitions suggests an involvement of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of HPO functioning in female mood disorders. Inclusionary criteria were: i) women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) or a depressive disorder, ii) assessment of HPO-axis related biomarkers, iii) a case-control design. Sixty-three studies (N = 5,129) were included. There was evidence for PMDD to be paralleled by lower luteal oestradiol levels. Women with depression unrelated to reproductive transition showed lower testosterone levels than healthy controls and there was some evidence for lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels. There were no differences in HPO-related parameters between women with pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopausal depression and controls. Women with PMDD and depression unrelated to reproductive transitions exhibit specific changes in the HPO-axis, which potentially contribute to their symptoms. Further research into reproductive mood disorders characterised by extreme endocrine changes is warranted. |
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ISSN: | 0091-3022 1095-6808 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100929 |