QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Erratum An erratum has been published All Versions of this Article: jpet.106.107896v1 320/1/427    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Alele, P. E. Articles by Devaud, L. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Alele, P. E. Articles by Devaud, L. L. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Hazardous Substances DB ESTRADIOL ETHANOL Medline Plus Health Information Seizures

BEHAVIORAL PHARMACOLOGY

Sex Differences in Steroid Modulation of Ethanol Withdrawal in Male and Female Rats

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho

We investigated the actions of the neuroactive steroid, pregnenolone, and the ovarian steroid, 17-estradiol, on seizure expression during two time points of ethanol withdrawal (EW). Both steroids can exert rapid, nongenomic actions on the brain that include modulation of seizure activity. Because their basal levels differ in adult males and females and a major symptom of EW is increased seizure risk, we wanted to determine whether these steroids were anticonvulsant during EW. Rats were made ethanol-dependent by administration of 6% ethanol in a nutritionally complete liquid diet for 14 days. After removal of the ethanol-containing diet, EW and paired control rats were tested at 1 or 3 days for seizure responses to pentylenetetrazol. Consistent with previous reports, females seemed to have recovered from EW more quickly than males. We observed significant sex differences in responses to the steroids, primarily at 3 days EW. Pregnanolone afforded protection against seizures with larger effects during EW than in control conditions and greater effects in female than male rats. In contrast, effects of estradiol were mixed. Some responses of ovariectomized female rats were similar to intact females, whereas other responses were more similar to males. Our behavioral findings are consistent with observed EW-induced changes in plasma corticosterone levels, showing persistent elevations in male but not female rats. These results support and extend earlier findings suggesting that although the hormonal milieu influences EW, innate differences in brain structure between the sexes also contribute to sex differences in EW.

Address correspondence to: Leslie L. Devaud, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Idaho State University, Stop 8334, Pocatello, ID 83209–8334. E-mail: ldevaud{at}otc.isu.edu

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. Reilly, B. Koirala, and L. L. Devaud Sex Differences in Acoustic Startle Responses and Seizure Thresholds between Ethanol-Withdrawn Male and Female Rats Alcohol Alcohol., November 1, 2009; 44(6): 561 - 566. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]