Gonadal hormone-independent sex differences in GABA_A receptor activation in rat embryonic hypothalamic neurons.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

GABA_A receptor functions are dependent on subunit composition, and, through their activation, GABA can exert trophic actions in immature neurons. Although several sex differences in GABA-mediated responses are known to be dependent on gonadal hormones, few studies have dealt with sex differences detected before the critical period of brain masculinisation. In this study, we assessed GABA_A receptor functionality in sexually segregated neurons before brain hormonal masculinisation.

Experimental approach

Ventromedial hypothalamic neurons were obtained from embryonic day 16 rat brains and grown in vitro for 2 days. Calcium imaging and electrophysiology recordings were carried out to assess GABA_A receptor functional paramete

SUBMITTER: Mir FR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7280008 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature