Sex-specific transcriptional signatures in the medial prefrontal cortex underlying sexually dimorphic behavioural responses to stress in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Converging evidence suggests that stress alters behavioural responses in a sex-specific manner; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of stress remain largely unknown.

Methods

We adapted unpredictable maternal separation (UMS) and adult restraint stress (RS) paradigms to mimic stress in rats in early life or adulthood, respectively. The sexual dimorphism of the prefrontal cortex was noted, and we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to identify specific genes or pathways responsible for sexually dimorphic responses to stress. We then performed quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to verify the results of RNA-Seq.

Results

Female rats exposed to either UMS or RS showed no negative effects on anxiety-like behaviours, wher

SUBMITTER: Zhang YD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9943549 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature