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Krizman J, Rotondo EK, Nicol T, Kraus N, Bieszczad KM. Sex differences in auditory processing vary across estrous cycle. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22898. [PMID: 34819558 PMCID: PMC8613396 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02272-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, females process a sound's harmonics more robustly than males. As estrogen regulates auditory plasticity in a sex-specific manner in seasonally breeding animals, estrogen signaling is one hypothesized mechanism for this difference in humans. To investigate whether sex differences in harmonic encoding vary similarly across the reproductive cycle of mammals, we recorded frequency-following responses (FFRs) to a complex sound in male and female rats. Female FFRs were collected during both low and high levels of circulating estrogen during the estrous cycle. Overall, female rodents had larger harmonic encoding than male rodents, and greater harmonic strength was seen during periods of greater estrogen production in the females. These results argue that hormonal differences, specifically estrogen, underlie sex differences in harmonic encoding in rodents and suggest that a similar mechanism may underlie differences seen in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Krizman
- Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Elena K Rotondo
- Department of Psychology-Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Trent Nicol
- Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Nina Kraus
- Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Kasia M Bieszczad
- Department of Psychology-Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
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Differences in peripheral sensory input to the olfactory bulb between male and female mice. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45851. [PMID: 28443629 PMCID: PMC5405412 DOI: 10.1038/srep45851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Female mammals generally have a superior sense of smell than males, but the biological basis of this difference is unknown. Here, we demonstrate sexually dimorphic neural coding of odorants by olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), primary sensory neurons that physically contact odor molecules in the nose and provide the initial sensory input to the brain’s olfactory bulb. We performed in vivo optical neurophysiology to visualize odorant-evoked OSN synaptic output into olfactory bub glomeruli in unmanipulated (gonad-intact) adult mice from both sexes, and found that in females odorant presentation evoked more rapid OSN signaling over a broader range of OSNs than in males. These spatiotemporal differences enhanced the contrast between the neural representations of chemically related odorants in females compared to males during stimulus presentation. Removing circulating sex hormones makes these signals slower and less discriminable in females, while in males they become faster and more discriminable, suggesting opposite roles for gonadal hormones in influencing male and female olfactory function. These results demonstrate that the famous sex difference in olfactory abilities likely originates in the primary sensory neurons, and suggest that hormonal modulation of the peripheral olfactory system could underlie differences in how males and females experience the olfactory world.
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Etchegoyen GS, Del Zotto H. Sex and gonadal activity modify the effect of 2-hydroxyestradiol on hypothalamic GABA uptake in the rat. Arch Physiol Biochem 1995; 103:456-61. [PMID: 8548483 DOI: 10.3109/13813459509047139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the changes induced by sex and sexual steroids on the effect of the catecholestrogen 2-hydroxyestradiol (2OHE2) upon hypothalamic GABA uptake. For this purpose we have measured [3H]-GABA uptake by crude synaptosomal fractions obtained from normal female and male rats and from ovariectomized and virilized female rats in the presence or absence of increasing concentrations (0.1 to 100 microM) of 20HE2. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that the effect of the catecholestrogen varied according to sex: it potentiated the specific [3H]-GABA uptake in female rats, whereas it clearly inhibited the uptake in male and virilized rats. The enhancing effect of the catecholestrogen was not affected by ovariectomy, but a higher specific GABA uptake was observed in the ovariectomized animals. The present study provides the first evidence that the effect of 2OHE2 on hypothalamic GABA uptake depends on sex, thus suggesting the existence of a sexual dimorphism. Further studies in this field are required to elucidate the physiological significance and the underlying mechanism of the mentioned effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Etchegoyen
- CENEXA-Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
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Etchegoyen GS, Del Zotto H. Effect of catecholestrogens on [3H]-GABA uptake by hypothalamic crude synaptosomes. Arch Physiol Biochem 1995; 103:416-21. [PMID: 8548475 DOI: 10.3109/13813459509047131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Catecholestrogens (CE), 2-hydroxyestradiol, 2-hydroxyestrone and primary estrogens, estradiol and estrone were tested in their ability to compete for the high affinity uptake of [3H]-GABA into crude synaptosomal fractions. Aliquots of the crude synaptosomal fraction obtained from normal rats were incubated for 10 min at 37 degrees C with [3H]-GABA in the presence, or absence, of estrogens and catecholestrogens. Neither estradiol nor estrone modified the specific [3H]-GABA uptake into crude synaptosomal fractions. On the contrary, CE significantly affected the specific [3H]-GABA uptake in a dose-dependent manner: low concentrations of CE enhanced the uptake; this effect disappeared with high concentrations of the compounds. The stimulatory effect of CE on [3H]-GABA uptake was blocked when samples were coincubated with nipecotic acid, thus suggesting that this effect is specific rather than the result of non-specific interactions of CE with the hypothalamic membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Etchegoyen
- CENEXA-Centro de Endocrinología Experimental y Aplicada (UNLP-CONICET), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
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García-Segura LM, Chowen JA, Párducz A, Naftolin F. Gonadal hormones as promoters of structural synaptic plasticity: cellular mechanisms. Prog Neurobiol 1994; 44:279-307. [PMID: 7886228 DOI: 10.1016/0301-0082(94)90042-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
It is now obvious that the CNS is capable of undergoing a variety of plastic changes at all stages of development. Although the magnitude and distribution of these changes may be more dramatic in the immature animal, the adult brain retains a remarkable capacity for undergoing morphological and functional modifications. Throughout development, as well as in the postpubertal animal, gonadal steroids exert an important influence over the architecture of specific sex steroid-responsive areas, resulting in sexual dimorphisms at both morphological and physiological levels. We are only now beginning to gain insight into the mechanisms involved in gonadal steroid-induced synaptic changes. The number of synaptic inputs to specific neuronal populations is sexually dimorphic and this can be modulated by changes in the sex steroid environment. These modifications can be correlated with other morphological changes, such as glial cell activation, that are occurring simultaneously in the same anatomical area. Indeed, the close physical relationship between glial cells and neuronal synaptic contacts makes them an ideal candidate for participating in this process. Interestingly, not only can the morphology and immunoreactivity of glial cells be modulated by gonadal steroids, but a close negative correlation between the number of synapses and the amount of glial ensheathing of a neuron has been demonstrated, suggesting an active participation of these cells in this process. Glia have sex steroid receptors, are capable of producing and metabolizing steroids, and can produce other neuronal trophic factors in response to sex steroids. Hence, their role in gonadal steroid-induced synaptic plasticity is becoming more apparent. In addition, there is recent evidence that this process may involve certain cell surface molecules, such as the N-CAMs, since a specific isoform of this molecule, previously referred to as the embryonic form, is found in those areas of the brain which maintain the capacity to undergo synaptic remodelling. However, there is much work to be done in order to fully understand this phenomenon and before bringing it into a clinical setting in hopes of treating neurodegenerative diseases or injuries to the nervous system.
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Párducz A, Perez J, Garcia-Segura LM. Estradiol induces plasticity of gabaergic synapses in the hypothalamus. Neuroscience 1993; 53:395-401. [PMID: 8492911 DOI: 10.1016/0306-4522(93)90203-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The number of axosomatic synapses on arcuate neurons of the adult rat hypothalamus fluctuates following the sequence of increasing circulatory estradiol during the ovarian cycle. To determine whether estrogen is affecting GABAergic synaptic contacts we studied the number of GABA-immunoreactive axosomatic synapses in adult ovariectomized rats injected either with 17 beta estradiol (100 micrograms/100 g body weight) or with sesame oil vehicle. The number of immunoreactive axosomatic synapses was significantly reduced in estradiol-treated rats (77 +/- 8 vs 56 +/- 6 synapses per 1000 microns of perikaryal membrane in control and estradiol-treated rats, respectively) while the number of non-immunoreactive synapses was not significantly affected by the hormonal treatment (44 +/- 6 vs 35 +/- 5 synapses per 1000 microns of perikaryal membrane in control and estradiol-treated rats, respectively). Estradiol administration also resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of perikaryal membrane covered by immunoreactive synapses. These results suggest that physiological levels of estradiol may induce a remodeling of GABAergic inhibitory inputs on arcuate neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Párducz
- Institute of Biophysics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged
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Fukuzako H, Tominaga H, Izumi K, Koja T, Nomoto M, Hokazono Y, Kamei K, Fujii H, Fukuda T, Matsumoto K. Postural myoclonus associated with long-term administration of neuroleptics in schizophrenic patients. Biol Psychiatry 1990; 27:1116-26. [PMID: 1971187 DOI: 10.1016/0006-3223(90)90048-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Postural myoclonus associated with long-term administration of neuroleptics was demonstrated in schizophrenic patients. Sixty patients who had been taking neuroleptics for more than 3 months were investigated for myoclonus and the relationships between postural myoclonus and age, duration of illness, duration of medication, current daily dose, cumulative dose, occurrence of abnormal finger movement, parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia were evaluated. Twenty-three patients (38%) showed postural myoclonus when holding the hands forward with the elbow joints flexed at about 90%. Male patients showed a higher incidence of myoclonus than female patients. Patients with myoclonus had been given significantly higher doses of neuroleptics than those without myoclonus. There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of myoclonus and abnormal finger movement. Electromyographic recordings in 7 patients with prominent myoclonus revealed that arrhythmic jerks occurred in the extensor carpi radialis and posterior deltoid muscles and that the jerks on the left and right side were not synchronized. Clonazepam reduced the frequency of the myoclonic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Fukuzako
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, Japan
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Léránth C, Sakamoto H, MacLusky NJ, Shanabrough M, Naftolin F. Estrogen responsive cells in the arcuate nucleus of the rat contain glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD): an electron microscopic immunocytochemical study. Brain Res 1985; 331:376-81. [PMID: 3986576 DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(85)91567-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Twenty-one days after ovariectomy (OVX) an increased frequency of lamellar cytoplasmic organelles, termed 'whorl' bodies (WB), was observed in neurons of the rat arcuate nucleus (AN). When estradiol valerate (2 mg s.c.) was injected either at the time of OVX or one week later, the frequency of WB at 21 days was reduced. The estrogen treatment resulted in a concomitant rise in the frequency of 'nematosomes' (NS), filamentous electron-dense cytoplasmic structures. In the medial part of the AN glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) immunopositive symmetric (Gray II) synapses were observed in contact with WB- and NS-containing cells. After colchicine treatment, GAD immunoreactivity was observed in the WB- and NS-containing perikarya in the medial AN. Some of the NS-containing cells in the lateral AN of the colchicine-pretreated animals remained immunonegative for GAD.
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Maggi A, Perez J. Progesterone and estrogens in rat brain: modulation of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptor activity. Eur J Pharmacol 1984; 103:165-8. [PMID: 6090170 DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(84)90205-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Our data indicate that estrogens and progesterone can regulate the number of GABA receptors (as detected by [3H]muscimol binding assay) in rat brain. Both hormones act in selected areas. The extent of the effect (up to 160% increase) and the number of areas responsive suggest that sex hormones may play a very important role in the regulation of the functions of GABAergic transmission in the central nervous system.
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Shetty KT, Gaitonde BB. Effect of contraceptive steroids on gamma-aminobutyric acid metabolism and pyridoxal kinase activity in rat brain. Exp Neurol 1980; 70:146-54. [PMID: 6252031 DOI: 10.1016/0014-4886(80)90012-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Wallis CJ, Luttge WG. INfluence of estrogen and progesterone on glutamic acid decarboxylase activity in discrete regions of rat brain. J Neurochem 1980; 34:609-13. [PMID: 7354335 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1980.tb11187.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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12
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Samaan SS, Galal EE, Khayyal MT, Saad SF. The effect of potassium antimonyl tartrate on the gamma-aminobutyric acid and acetylcholine contents in the cerebral hemispheres of normal and Schistosoma mansoni infected mice. J Pharm Pharmacol 1976; 28:465-6. [PMID: 6767 DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1976.tb04663.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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13
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Ghazal AE, Makar AB, Daabees TT. Effect of oral contraceptives (Lyndiol) on rat brain gamma aminobutyric acid system. Biochem Pharmacol 1976; 25:115-8. [PMID: 1259772 DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(76)90276-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Saad SF, el-Masry AM, Scott PM. Influence of certain anticonvulsants on the concentration of -aminobutyric acid in the cerebral hemispheres of mice. Eur J Pharmacol 1972; 17:386-92. [PMID: 5022154 DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(72)90119-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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17
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Saad SF. Further observations on the role of -aminobutyric acid in insulin-induced hypoglycaemic convulsions. Eur J Pharmacol 1972; 17:152-6. [PMID: 5016574 DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(72)90281-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Saad SF. The effect of some oral hypoglycaemics on the gamma-aminobutyric acid content in the cerebral hemispheres of adult male mice. Eur J Pharmacol 1970; 13:30-4. [PMID: 5496924 DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(70)90177-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Saad SF. The effect of isoniazid and some anticonvulsant drugs on the gamma-aminobutyric acid content of mouse brain in insulin hypoglycaemia. J Pharm Pharmacol 1970; 22:372-4. [PMID: 4392996 DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.1970.tb08540.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Phenobarbitone, prominal and primidone protect mice from insulin convulsions and raise their lowered cerebral hemisphere GABA content. Phenobarbitone and primidone are superior to prominal and produce a significant increase in the insulin depleted GABA content. Isoniazid potentiates insulin convulsions and significantly lowers the insulin depleted GABA content. It is probable that insulin depletion of cerebral hemisphere GABA content is a rationale of hypolgycaemic convulsions.
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