Gonadal hormones alter hypothalamic GABA and glutamate levels

Brain Res. 1997 Jan 30;747(1):165-8. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(96)01255-3.

Abstract

GABA and glutamate levels were measured in brain sites important for lordotic responding and in other hypothalamic sites after gonadal hormone treatments sufficient to activate lordosis. Estradiol increased GABA and glutamate in the ventromedial nucleus and the vertical diagonal bands. Progesterone administration to estradiol primed females led to a rapid decline of the transmitters in these areas. Results are discussed in relation to neuroendocrine regulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects
  • Estradiol / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism*
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / pharmacology
  • Hypothalamus / drug effects
  • Hypothalamus / metabolism*
  • Ovariectomy
  • Posture / physiology
  • Progesterone / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid