Sex-dependent changes in neuroactive steroid concentrations in the rat brain following acute swim stress.

ABSTRACT: Sex differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity are well established in rodents. In addition to glucocorticoids, stress also stimulates the secretion of progesterone and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) from the adrenal gland. Neuroactive steroid metabolites of these precursors can modulate HPA axis function; however, it is not known whether levels of these steroids differ between male and females following stress. In the present study, we aimed to establish whether neuroactive steroid concentrations in the brain display sex- and/or region-specific differences under basal conditions and following exposure to acute stress. Brains were collected from male and female rats killed under nonstress conditions or following exposure to forced swimming. Liquid chromatography-mass spec

SUBMITTER: Sze Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6221110 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature