Progesterone regulates corticosterone elevation and alterations in spatial memory and exploratory behavior induced by stress in Wistar rats

    June 2010 in “ Universitas Psychologica ”
    Yolanda Díaz-Burke, C E Valencia-Alfonso, Claudia Elena González-Sandoval, Miguel Huerta, Xóchitl Trujillo, Lourdes Diaz, Joaquı́n Garcı́a‐Estrada, Sonia Luquín
    TLDR Progesterone helps protect against stress-related memory and behavior issues in rats.
    This study investigated the effects of progesterone (PROG) on stress-induced changes in urinary corticosterone (CORT) levels, spatial memory, and exploratory behavior in castrated adult male Wistar rats. The rats were exposed to chronic stress through overcrowding or ultrasonic noise for 10 days. Results showed that PROG implantation inhibited the stress-induced increase in CORT levels, prevented spatial memory impairment in the Morris water maze, and eliminated increased exploratory behavior in the hole-board test. These findings suggested that PROG had protective effects against the rise in corticosteroids and behavioral deficits caused by stress, likely due to its anxiolytic properties.
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