Sex differences in expression of serotonin receptors (subtypes 1A and 2A) in rat brain: a possible role of testosterone
Section snippets
Experimental procedures
These studies were conducted in an AALAC approved laboratory in accordance with NIH protocol no. 999 and in such a way as to minimize both animal suffering and the numbers of animals required.
Serotonin-1A receptor transcripts
In situ hybridization revealed that 5-HT1A receptor mRNAs were expressed distinctly in male and female rats in the hippocampus (Fig. 1), as well as in the hypothalamus and amygdala. Compared to the relatively low levels of expression of 5-HT1A message transcripts in cells of the CA3 and CA4 subfields evident in autoradiograms of the male hippocampus, there was relatively robust expression in these regions in the female hippocampus. Consistent with the literature,40 the most intense labeling by
Role of testosterone in serotonin receptor subtype dimorphisms
We have identified sex-related differences in the distribution of 5-HT1A mRNA and 5-HT2A binding in juvenile rat brain. The distribution of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A mRNAs and receptor binding sites that we observed conforms fairly well with prior investigations in adult male rats, demonstrating high binding in the hippocampus, raphe nuclei and cerebral cortex.10., 31., 40. The dimorphisms observed were 5-HT receptor subtype specific and brain region specific. 5-HT1A mRNA was significantly higher in
Conclusions
We have shown the presence of sexual dimorphisms in 5-HT1A receptor mRNA levels (hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, dorsal raphe nucleus), 5-HT2 mRNA (hypothalamus) and 5-HT2A receptor binding (hippocampus). Additionally, we have demonstrated testosterone-dependent transcriptional regulation of 5-HT1A and, to a lesser extent, 5-HT2A receptors. The effect of these sexual dimorphisms on local patterns of electrical activity, systemic physiological response or subsequent brain development is
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