Fig. 3: Ovx rats had lower GluN2A and GluN2B synaptic expression in the PFC and were more sensitive to PEAQX-induced elevations in gamma power relative to Ovx+E rats.

All data are normalized to the O-I condition and expressed as fold change ( ± SEM) (A-C). Western blot analyses of GluN2A expression (F_2,15 = 6.476, p = 0.0094) (A) and GluN2B expression (F_2,15 = 5.054, p = 0.021) (B) was significantly lower in Ovx rats (GluN2A: 0.561 ± 0.094; GluN2B: 0.765 ± 0.120) relative to Ovx+E rats (GluN2A: 1.101 ± 0.154; GluN2B: 1.239 ± 0.118). GluN2A expression was also lower in Ovx relative to Ovary-Intact rats (GluN2A: 1.0 ± 0.075; GluN2B: 1.0 ± 0.072). Importantly, GluN1 expression was not significantly different between groups (F_{2, 15} = 0.0189, p = 0.9813; O-I = 1.0 ± 0.066, Ovx = 1.0 ± 0.023, Ovx+E = 1.125 ± 0.114) (C). Representative Western blots for GluN2A, GluN2B, and β-actin (above) and GluN1 and β-actin (below) (D). In E–J, all data are shown as a group mean (±SEM). Full spectrum data are presented in 1 Hz bins expressed as the average percent change from during the 5-h post-dosing period. Gray vertical bars represent frequency bands (delta, Δ 0.5–4 Hz; theta, θ 4–8 Hz; alpha, α 8–13 Hz; sigma, σ 13–15 Hz; beta, β 13–30 Hz; low gamma, γ 30–50 Hz; high gamma, γ 50–100 Hz). Group comparisons across the full spectral power range were evaluated following administration of 30 mg/kg PEAQX or CP-101,606 (E, H). Then, direct group comparisons were assessed for the average % change within the low gamma (main effect of dose: F_1.60,32.87 = 23.4, p < 0.0001; group: F_2,21 = 6.686, p = 0.0057) (F) and high gamma (main effect of dose: F_{1.568, 32.15} = 13.75, p = 0.0001) (G) power bands in the 5 h post-dosing period at each tested dose. For bar graphs, p < 0.05; a, compared to the group’s respective vehicle condition; b, compared to the Ovx group. Horizontal colored lines matching the respective experimental condition represent the 1 Hz bins at which O-I or Ovx+E rats were significantly different from the Ovx condition (E, H). In A–C, n = 6 rats per condition. n = 7–8 O-I (E–G), 8–9 Ovx, and 8–9 Ovx+E rats (E–J).