Evidence for a role for the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in the modulation of reproductive function in female rats

• DOI: 10.1530/eje.0.1330375
• Publication Date: 2008-12-15T22:12:49Z
• Authors: Andrea R Genazzani; Marco A Palumbo; Antonio A de Mich...; Paolo G Artini; Mario Criscuolo; Guido Ficarra; Ai-Li Guo; Augusta Benelli; Alfio Bertolini; Felice Petraglia; Robert H Purdy
• Keywords: Allopregnanolone; Pregnanolone

The present study investigated the effect of allopregnanolone (5 alpha-pregnan-3 alpha-ol-20-one) or passive immunoneutralization brain allopregnanolone, most potent steroid produced by neurons, on ovulation rate and sexual behavior in female rats. Allopregnanolone was injected intracerebroventricularly rats diestrus proestrus tests were done estrus. intracerebroventricular injection significantly decreased number oocytes collected estrus (p < 0.01). To support a physiological involvement, antiserum to centrally block activity endogenous neurosteroid. When administered only proestrus, shown be correlated with significant increase 0.01) retrieved In treated lordosis intensity augmented as compared controls. Finally, possible changes medial basal hypothalamus concentration throughout estrous cycle at time investigated. Hypothalamic extracts eluted high-pressure liquid chromatography measured radioimmunoassay. Brain cortex used control tissue. morning afternoon found lower than remaining phases 0.01), while no observed allopregnanolone. results suggest that hypothalamic may involved mechanism ovulation, affecting hormonal behavioral events.