Sex differences in the effects of two stress paradigms on dopaminergic neurotransmission

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

Authors

Dalla, C.
Antoniou, K.
Kokras, N.
Drossopoulou, G.
Papathanasiou, G.
Bekris, S.
Daskas, S.
Papadopoulou-Daifoti, Z.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Type of the conference item

Journal type

peer-reviewed

Educational material type

Conference Name

Journal name

Physiol Behav

Book name

Book series

Book edition

Alternative title / Subtitle

Description

Sex differences in behavioral and neurobiological responses to stress are considered to modulate the prevalence of some psychiatric disorders, including major depression. In the present study, we compared dopaminergic neurotransmission and behavior in response to two different stress paradigms, the Forced Swim Test (FST) and the Chronic Mild Stress (CMS). Male and female rats were subjected to one session of swim stress for two consecutive days (FST) or to a variety of mild stressors alternating for six weeks (CMS). Subsequently, the tissue levels of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites (HVA and DOPAC) in the hippocampus, the hypothalamus, the prefrontal cortex and the striatum were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ratios HVA/DA and DOPAC/DA were also calculated as indices of the dopaminergic activity. Results from the FST determined that males exhibited lower immobility, higher climbing duration and increased dopaminergic activity in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus compared to females. CMS induced alterations in sucrose intake in both sexes, while it only decreased dopaminergic activity in the prefrontal cortex of females. These findings show that FST and CMS have different effects on the dopaminergic activity of discrete brain regions depending on the sex of the animal. These data support the growing evidence that females display a differential response and adaptation to stress than males.

Description

Keywords

Analysis of Variance, Animals, Behavior, Animal, Brain/metabolism/pathology, Brain Chemistry/*physiology, Dopamine/*metabolism, Female, Food Preferences/physiology, Male, Rats, Rats, Wistar, *Sex Characteristics, Stress, Psychological/etiology/*metabolism/pathology, Swimming, Time Factors

Subject classification

Citation

Link

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18031771
http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0031938407004143/1-s2.0-S0031938407004143-main.pdf?_tid=b889a7b923036a05be8b28bb6349216d&acdnat=1332924907_65dcb87fad36b83b8397bcfb0ebcec17

Language

en

Publishing department/division

Advisor name

Examining committee

General Description / Additional Comments

Institution and School/Department of submitter

Πανεπιστήμιο Ιωαννίνων. Σχολή Επιστημών Υγείας. Τμήμα Ιατρικής

Table of contents

Sponsor

Bibliographic citation

Name(s) of contributor(s)

Number of Pages

Course details

Endorsement

Review

Supplemented By

Referenced By