Estrogen and/or progesterone administered systemically or to the amygdala can have anxiety-, fear-, and pain-reducing effects in ovariectomized rats.
Estrogen (E2) and/or progesterone (P) in the amygdala may influence anxiety, fear, and pain behaviors. Ovariectomized rats were administered subcutaneous or intra-amygdala vehicle, E2, P, or E2 + P: Effects on open field, elevated plus-maze, defensive freezing, and hot-plate task performance were observed. Subcutaneous E2 + P or intra-amygdala E2, P, or E2 + P increased open field central entries and open arm time in the plus-maze compared with vehicle. Subcutaneous or intra-amygdala E2, P, or E2 + P decreased time spent freezing postshock compared with vehicle. Subcutaneous or intra-amygdala E2 + P increased latencies to lick paws compared with vehicle. Thus, E2 and P may have effects in the amygdala to decrease anxiety, fear, and/or pain responses.
Frye
Cheryl A
CA
Department of Psychology, University at Albany--State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA. cafrye@cnsunix.albany.edu
Walf
Alicia A
AA
D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000378:metabolism*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D018782:Maze Learning; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans
D004967:Estrogens; D011374:Progesterone