Effect of progesterone on serotonin turnover in rats primed with estrogen implants into the ventromedial hypothalamus

Robert W. Gereau IV, Kathleen A. Kedzie, Kenneth J. Renner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effect of progesterone (P) on serotonin (5-HT) turnover was studied in nine brain regions in ovariectomized rats primed with bilateral intracerebral implants of estradiol benzoate (1:250 cholesterol) directed towards the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMN). Two days after surgery, animals received P (0.5 mg SC), and were pretested for lordosis behavior. After a 44-h recovery period, rats with LQ ≥60 were randomly divided into groups that received either a second behavior test or IP injections of saline or pargyline (4 h after P or V). P treatment decreased pargyline-induced accumulation of 5-HT in the VMN (pars lateralis), the lateral midbrain central grey (IMCG), and the periventricular region (PVE, anterior hypothalamic region). The 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios were significantly decreased in the VMN and PVE in P-treated animals. These results support the hypothesis that P-influenced decreases in serotonergic activity in the VMN contribute to the facilitation of female receptivity, and also suggest that steroid-mediated actions in the VMN may lead to changes in serotonergic activity in the IMCG and PVE.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)293-300
Number of pages8
JournalBrain Research Bulletin
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993

Keywords

  • Estrogen implants
  • Lordosis
  • Midbrain central grey
  • Serotonin
  • Systemic progesterone
  • Ventromedial hypothalamus

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