Injection of oxytocin into paraventricular nucleus reverses depressive-like behaviors in the postpartum depression rat model.

•Expression of OXT mRNA and peptide level was decreased in PVN of PPD rats.•OXT treatment in PVN reversed depressive-like behavior in PPD rats.•Injection of OXT reversed GRS-induced higher plasma CORT level and expression of TrkB in PVN.•OXT plays an antidepressant role by modulating HPA axis via TrkB in PVN.