Fig. 3: OVX reverses the effects of MSEW seen in diestrus mice, but only in a low stress context. | Nature Communications

Fig. 3: OVX reverses the effects of MSEW seen in diestrus mice, but only in a low stress context.

From: The estrous cycle modulates early-life adversity effects on mouse avoidance behavior through progesterone signaling

Fig. 3

a Timeline of experiment. b Schematic of recording in the home cage. c After OVX, locomotion in the home cage does not differ between groups (Control n = 3, MSEW n = 5). d After OVX, climbing bouts in the home cage do not differ between groups (Control n = 3, MSEW n = 5). e After OVX, vHIP theta power does not differ between groups (Control n = 2, MSEW n = 4). f Power spectra from OVX control and MSEW mice during home cage immobility; inset bar graph shows no difference in vHIP theta power between OVX control and MSEW (Control n = 2, MSEW n = 4). g After OVX, vHIP gamma power in the home cage does not differ between groups (Control n = 2, MSEW n = 4). h Schematic of recording in the open field. i After OVX, MSEW exhibit elevated locomotion (t7 = 2.509, p = 0.0405) and j decreased grooming in the open field (t7 = 2.497, p = 0.0412) (Control n = 4, MSEW n = 5). k After OVX, vHIP theta power is higher in the open field of MSEW mice (t4 = 2.791, p = 0.0493; Control n = 2, MSEW n = 4). l Power spectra from OVX vHIP LFPs during open field immobility; inset bar graph shows vHIP theta power is higher in OVX MSEW mice (t4 = 2.866, p = 0.0456; Control n = 2, MSEW n = 4). m After OVX, vHIP gamma power in the open field does not differ between groups (Control n = 2, MSEW n = 4). n, o Timeline of experiment. p, q OVX decreases serum and vHIP progesterone levels, but open field exposure raises progesterone levels (Serum: Kruskal-Wallis test H = 14.77, p < 0.0001; Sham HC-OVX HC p = 0.0006, OVX HC-OVX OF p = 0.0158; Sham n = 7, OVX HC n = 7, OVX OF n = 8; vHIP: F2,18 = 7.173, p = 0.0051; Sham HC-OVX HC p = 0.0463, OVX HC-OVX OF p = 0.0047; Sham n = 6, OVX HC n = 7, OVX OF n = 8). Arb. units = arbitrary units; HC = home cage; MSEW = maternal separation early weaning; OF = open field; OVX = ovariectomy; vHIP = ventral hippocampus. *p < 0.05, two-sided unpaired t-tests (c, d, e, f, g, i, j, k, l, m); one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests (q). Data are presented as mean values + SEM for error bars (c-g; i-m, p, q) and ± SEM for bands (f, l). Images in b,h,o were created using BioRender.com. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.

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