Sex differences in hormonal responses of vasopressin pathways in the rat brain
Abstract
Vasopressin (AVP) immunoreactivity in cells and projections of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and medial amygdaloid nucleus (MA) depends on gonadal steroids. In addition, the AVP projections from the BST show denser fiber staining in males than in females. To study whether these differences depend on different hormone levels in adulthood, male and female rats were gonadectomized and similarly treated with testosterone for 4 weeks prior to sacrifice. Immunocytochemistry showed that males had significantly more AVP-immunoreactive (AVP-IR) cells in the BST and significantly denser AVP-IR projections from this nucleus to the lateral septum, lateral habenular nucleus, and periaqueductal central gray than did females. The number of AVP-IR cells in the MA nucleus was not statistically different, but denser AVP-IR fiber networks were found in the MA and ventral hippocampus, which receives its input from the MA. No differences were found in the anteroventral portion of the periventricular nucleus and the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus that receive their AVP innervation from the suprachiasmatic nucleus. These results indicate that the sex difference in the steroid-sensitive AVP pathways depends on other factors besides circulating hormone levels in adulthood.
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The sex difference in AVP-ir cells in the BST does not depend on differences in circulating hormone levels, as it persists when males and females are treated with similar levels of testosterone.
“This sex difference does not depend on differences in circulating hormone levels, since it persists in males and females that are treated with similar levels of testosterone.”
From Sex differences in the effects of testosterone and its metabolites on vasopressin messenger RNA levels in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of rats (1994) · cites this paper as De Vries and Al-Shamma, 1990
Sex differences in circulating gonadal hormone levels may be necessary, but are less likely to be sufficient to induce sex-specific AVP expression in this circuit.
“However, sex differences in circulating gonadal hormone levels may be necessary, but are less likely to be sufficient to induce sex-specific AVP expression in this circuit.”
From Quantitative mapping reveals age and sex differences in vasopressin, but not oxytocin, immunoreactivity in the rat social behavior neural network (2017) · cites this paper as De Vries & al-Shamma, 1990
Additional sex differences such as in AR and aromatase expression are likely essential in mediating gonadal steroid-induced sex-specific AVP expression.
“This suggests that additional sex differences such as in AR and aromatase expression are likely essential in mediating gonadal steroid-induced sex-specific AVP expression (De Vries & al-Shamma, 1990).”
From Quantitative mapping reveals age and sex differences in vasopressin, but not oxytocin, immunoreactivity in the rat social behavior neural network (2017) · cites this paper as De Vries & al-Shamma, 1990
Gonadectomized adult male and female rats exposed to similar levels of testosterone still differ, with adult males having higher AVP expression than adult females.
“For example, gona-dectomized adult male and female rats exposed to similar levels of testosterone still differ, with adult males having higher AVP expression than adult females (De Vries & al-Shamma, 1990).”
From Quantitative mapping reveals age and sex differences in vasopressin, but not oxytocin, immunoreactivity in the rat social behavior neural network (2017) · cites this paper as De Vries & al-Shamma, 1990
AVP expression within the BST and CMA is highly sexually dimorphic, with adult males expressing 2-3 times more AVP in these areas.
“AVP expression within the BST and CMA is highly sexually dimorphic, as adult males express 2-3 times more AVP in these areas.23”
From Neonatal MeCP2 is important for the organization of sex differences in vasopressin expression (2012) · cites this paper as [23]
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“This suggests that additional sex differences such as in AR and aromatase expression are likely essential in mediating gonadal steroid-induced sex-specific AVP expression (De Vries & al-Shamma, 1990).”
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Neonatal MeCP2 is important for the organization of sex differences in vasopressin expression
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- Authors
- De Vries, G. J., & Al‐Shamma, H. A.
- Affiliations
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Neurobiology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1990-07
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 686-693
- ISSN
- 0022-3034 (ISSN-L)
- 1097-4695
- OpenAlex
- W2119627796
- Cited by
- 129
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 11.89
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Neurobiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (2s07rr007048-26)
- National Center for Research Resources (RR07048-22)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Keywords
- vasopressin, sex differences, sex steroids, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, medial amygdala, gonadectomy, testosterone, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, lateral septum, lateral habenula, periaqueductal gray, ventral hippocampus, suprachiasmatic nucleus
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Arginine Vasopressin, Brain, Female, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Immunohistochemistry, Male, Nerve Fibers, Rats, Inbred Strains, Sex Characteristics, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, Tissue Distribution, Rats
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