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Published on: October 2, 2018
Strain differences of neurosteroid levels in mouse brain
Noriko Tagawa1, Yumi Sugimoto, Jun Yamada
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, 4-19-1 Motoyamakita-machi, Kobe 658-8558, Japan.
Steroids
|June 27, 2006
Summary
This study reveals significant strain differences in mouse brain neurosteroid levels, particularly for pregnenolone sulfate (PregS) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). These variations may influence mouse behavior, impacting learning and stress responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Neurosteroids like pregnenolone (Preg) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity.
- These neurosteroids influence learning, memory, mood, and depression through amino acid receptors.
- Previous research noted rodent brain steroid levels, but lacked strain-specific comparisons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare brain concentrations of key neurosteroids and their sulfates across different mouse strains.
- To identify potential strain-specific differences in neurosteroid levels.
- To explore the relationship between brain and serum neurosteroid levels.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of pregnenolone (Preg), 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17-OH-Preg), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenediol (ADIOL), and their sulfates (PregS, DHEAS, 17-OH-PregS, ADIOLS) in whole mouse brains.
- Analysis of brain tissue from five distinct mouse strains: DBA/2, C57BL/6, BALB/c, ddY, and ICR.
- Measurement of serum steroid levels and correlation analysis with brain concentrations.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in brain pregnenolone (Preg) or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were observed across strains.
- DBA/2 mice exhibited significantly lower pregnenolone sulfate (PregS) and significantly higher dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels compared to other strains.
- Strain-specific differences were noted for 17-OH-Preg, ADIOL, and 17-OH-PregS, but not for ADIOLS.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first comprehensive report on mammalian brain levels of 17-OH-Preg, ADIOL, 17-OH-PregS, and ADIOLS, along with strain-specific variations.
- Observed differences in neurosteroid profiles across mouse strains may underlie variations in behavior, including aggression, stress adaptation, and learning.
- Brain neurosteroid levels may not be directly correlated with peripheral serum levels, suggesting localized synthesis or regulation within the brain.
