RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sex Differences in Maturation and Attrition of Adult Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus
JF eneuro
JO eNeuro
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP ENEURO.0468-19.2020
DO 10.1523/ENEURO.0468-19.2020
A1 Shunya Yagi
A1 Jared E. J. Splinter
A1 Daria Tai
A1 Sarah Wong
A1 Yanhua Wen
A1 Liisa A.M. Galea
YR 2020
UL http://www.eneuro.org/content/early/2020/06/25/ENEURO.0468-19.2020.abstract
AB Sex differences exist in the regulation of adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus in response to hormones and cognitive training. Here we investigated the trajectory and maturation rate of adult-born neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) of male and female rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused two hours, 24 hours, one, two or three weeks after BrdU injection, a DNA synthesis marker that labels dividing progenitor cells and their progeny. Adult-born neurons (BrdU/NeuN-ir) matured faster in males compared to females. Males had a greater density of neural stem cells (Sox2-ir) in the dorsal, but not in the ventral, DG and had higher levels of cell proliferation (Ki67-ir) than non-proestrous females. However, males showed a greater reduction in neurogenesis between one and two weeks after mitosis, whereas females showed similar levels of neurogenesis throughout the weeks. The faster maturation and greater attrition of new neurons in males compared to females suggests greater potential for neurogenesis to respond to external stimuli in males and emphasizes the importance of studying sex on adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Significance Statement Previously studies examining the characteristics of adult-born neurons in the dentate gyrus have used almost exclusively male subjects. Researchers have assumed the two sexes have a similar maturation and attrition of new neurons in the dentate gyrus of adults. However, this study highlights notable sex differences in the attrition, maturation rate and potential of neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus that has significant implications for the field of neuroplasticity. These findings are important in understanding the relevance of sex differences in the regulation of neurogenesis in the hippocampus in response to stimuli or experience and may have consequences for our understanding of diseases that involve neurodegeneration of the hippocampus, particularly those that involve sex differences, such as Alzheimer's disease and depression.