Environmental enrichment alters gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the rat hippocampus

Eiji Munetsuna, Minoru Hattori, Yuya Sakimoto, Atsuhiko Ishida, Shogo Sakata, Yasushi Hojo, Suguru Kawato, Takeshi Yamazaki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Neuroactive steroids are synthesized in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of environmental enrichment on neuroactive steroidogenesis in the rat hippocampus. Environmental enrichment rats were housed in a group of nine in a large cage and three groups of pair-housed rats were housed in a standard cage for 8. weeks. The levels of mRNAs for steroidogenic enzymes and proteins in hippocampus were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Environmental enrichment increased the mRNA expression levels of 5α-reductase-1 and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which catalyze synthesis of allopregnanolone from progesterone. Hence, environmental enrichment appears to affect allopregnanolone synthesis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)28-32
Number of pages5
JournalGeneral and Comparative Endocrinology
Volume171
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-03-2011
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • Endocrinology

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