The Neurosteroid Metabolite of Progesterone, 3α-OH-Dihydroprogesterone (3α-OH-DHP), Is Required for Attenuated Baroreflex Mediated Sympathoexcitation in Pregnancy

April 2013 in “ The FASEB Journal ”

J. Glenn Phaup, Eileen M. Hasser, Cheryl M. Heesch

3α‐OH‐dihydroprogesterone neurosteroid progesterone Finasteride GABAA receptors rostral ventrolateral medulla 3α‐OH‐DHP Propecia

TLDR 3α‐OH‐DHP is essential for reducing nerve activity related to blood pressure control during pregnancy.

The study investigated the role of the neurosteroid metabolite 3α‐OH‐dihydroprogesterone (3α‐OH‐DHP) in modulating baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) during pregnancy in rats. By administering Finasteride to block endogenous 3α‐OH‐DHP formation, researchers observed that in near-term pregnant rats, the maximum RSNA was reduced compared to non-pregnant rats, and the baroreflex curve midpoint was shifted to a lower mean arterial pressure. Finasteride treatment restored the maximum RSNA in pregnant rats to non-pregnant levels, indicating that 3α‐OH‐DHP played a significant role in attenuating baroreflex-mediated sympathoexcitation during pregnancy, likely through modulation of GABAA receptors in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM).

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