Allopregnanolone reversion of estrogen and progesterone memory impairment: interplay with serotonin release

Abstract

Previously, we found out that in ovariectomized female rats, estrogen and progesterone produce a memory deficit which is reverted by the intrahippocampal administration of allopregnanolone. Here, we study the possible interplay between allopregnanolone and hippocampal serotonergic activity. Ovariectomized rats injected subcutaneously with estrogen and progesterone were subsequently injected in the dorsal hippocampus with vehicle, allopregnanolone alone or allopregnanolone shortly after 8OH-DPAT, a predominantly 5HT1A-7 receptor agonist. Then, the subjects were sequentially tested in: (1) an inhibitory avoidance task and (2) K+-evoked [3H]-serotonin ex vivo release through superfusion experiments. Allopregnanolone increased the K+-evoked [3H]-serotonin release compared to control. 8OH-DPAT infusions reversed the effects of allopregnanolone on memory and K+-evoked [3H]-serotonin release. These results suggest that allopregnanolone memory improvement could be mediated, at least in part, through modulation of the hippocampal serotonergic system reactivity.