Changes in expression of estrogen receptor α and β associated with anxiety-like behavior of dams in dams-offspring separation of C57BL/6 J mice
10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2021.01.004
- Author:
Feng-Qin HE
1
;
Bing YU
1
;
Quan-Li XIANG
1
;
Deng-Xiang ZHOU
1
;
Geng-Chao QU
1
Author Information
1. College of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Natural Product Development and Anticancer Innovative Drug Research in Qinling, Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Xi'an University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Anxious-like behavior;
Elevated plus-maze test;
Estrogen receptor α;
Estrogen receptor β;
Immunohistochemistry;
Mouse;
Open field test
- From:
Acta Anatomica Sinica
2021;52(1):30-35
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effects of dams-offspring separation on anxiety-like behaviors of dams, and if these anxiety-like behaviors of dams are associated with estrogen receptorα(ERα) and β( ERβ)in some brain regions. Methods Thirty C57BL/6 J female mice were divided into three groups, control group (CG, n= 10,non-isolated group), short-term separation group( SG,/i= 10, dams were separated from their offspring for 15 minuts per day from the second day to the tenth day after childbirth ) and long-term separation group ( LG, n = 10, dams were separated from their offspring for 3 hours per day from the second day to the tenth day after childbirth ). Anxiety-like behaviors of dams were evaluated in an open-field (OF) and elevated plus-maze test ( EPM ). The level of ERα- immunoreactive neurons (ERα-IRs) and ERβ-immunoreactive neurons (ERβ-IRs) in three brain regions including medial preoptic area (mPOA), hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMH) and medial amygdaloid nucleus ( MeA) were analyzed. Results In OF, compared to CG group and SG group, LG group had significantly less time in center area, crossing number and total distance(P<0.001), there were no significant difference between the CG group and SG group( P>0.05 ). In EPM, compared to CG group and SG group, LG group had significantly less percentage of time, distance in open arms and total distance(P<0.001 ). Compared to CG group and SG group, LG group had significantly less ERa-IRs and ERβ-IRs in mPOA, VMH, and MeA(P<0.01). Conclusion Dams that are long-termly separated from their offspring may have anxiety-like behavior, and this behavior may be related to the significant reduction of ERa and ERβ in these brain regions.
