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ARTICLE, Behavioral/Systems

Sex Differences and Opposite Effects of Stress on Dendritic Spine Density in the Male Versus Female Hippocampus

Tracey J. Shors, Chadrick Chua and Jacqueline Falduto
Journal of Neuroscience 15 August 2001, 21 (16) 6292-6297; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.21-16-06292.2001
Tracey J. Shors
1Department of Psychology and Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
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Chadrick Chua
1Department of Psychology and Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
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Jacqueline Falduto
1Department of Psychology and Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
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Abstract

Dendritic spines are postsynaptic sites of excitatory input in the mammalian nervous system. Despite much information about their structure, their functional significance remains unknown. It has been reported that females in proestrus, when estrogen levels are elevated, have a greater density of apical dendritic spines on pyramidal neurons in area CA1 of the hippocampus than females in other stages of estrous (Woolley et al., 1990). Here we replicate these findings and in addition, show that females in proestrus have a greater density of spines in area CA1 of the hippocampus than males. Moreover, this sex difference in spine density is affected in opposite directions by stressful experience. In response to one acute stressful event of intermittent tailshocks, spine density was enhanced in the male hippocampus but reduced in the female hippocampus. The decrease in the female was observed for those that were stressed during diestrus 2 and perfused 24 hr later during proestrus. The opposing effects of stress were not evident immediately after the stressor but rather occurred within 24 hr and were evident on apical and to a lesser extent on basal dendrites of pyramidal cells in area CA1. Neither sex nor stress affected spine density on pyramidal neurons in somatosensory cortex. Sex differences in hippocampal spine density correlated with sex hormones, estradiol and testosterone, whereas stress effects on spine density were not directly associated with differences in the stress hormones, glucocorticoids. In summary, males and females have different levels of dendritic spine density in the hippocampus under unstressed conditions, and their neuronal anatomy can respond in opposite directions to the same stressful event.

  • estrogen
  • learning
  • fear
  • glutamate
  • corticosterone
  • testosterone
  • synapse
  • memory
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The Journal of Neuroscience: 21 (16)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 21, Issue 16
15 Aug 2001
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Sex Differences and Opposite Effects of Stress on Dendritic Spine Density in the Male Versus Female Hippocampus
Tracey J. Shors, Chadrick Chua, Jacqueline Falduto
Journal of Neuroscience 15 August 2001, 21 (16) 6292-6297; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.21-16-06292.2001

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Sex Differences and Opposite Effects of Stress on Dendritic Spine Density in the Male Versus Female Hippocampus
Tracey J. Shors, Chadrick Chua, Jacqueline Falduto
Journal of Neuroscience 15 August 2001, 21 (16) 6292-6297; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.21-16-06292.2001
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Keywords

  • estrogen
  • learning
  • fear
  • glutamate
  • corticosterone
  • testosterone
  • synapse
  • memory

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Behavioral/Systems

  • Scaffolding of Fyn Kinase to the NMDA Receptor Determines Brain Region Sensitivity to Ethanol
  • Distinct Developmental Modes and Lesion-Induced Reactions of Dendrites of Two Classes of Drosophila Sensory Neurons
  • Functional Dissociation among Components of Remembering: Control, Perceived Oldness, and Content
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