Estradiol mediates sex differences in aversion-resistant alcohol intake
IntroductionAlcohol consumption despite negative consequences is a core symptom of alcohol use disorder. This can be modeled in mice by pairing aversive stimuli with alcohol consumption, such as adding the bitter tastant quinine to the alcohol solution. If an animal continues to drink alcohol despit...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1282230/full |
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| author | Miranda E. Arnold Ellie B. Decker Ramirez Lauren A. Beugelsdyk M. Vitória Siano Kuzolitz Qiuyun Jiang Jesse R. Schank |
| author_facet | Miranda E. Arnold Ellie B. Decker Ramirez Lauren A. Beugelsdyk M. Vitória Siano Kuzolitz Qiuyun Jiang Jesse R. Schank |
| author_sort | Miranda E. Arnold |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionAlcohol consumption despite negative consequences is a core symptom of alcohol use disorder. This can be modeled in mice by pairing aversive stimuli with alcohol consumption, such as adding the bitter tastant quinine to the alcohol solution. If an animal continues to drink alcohol despite such negative stimuli, this is typically considered aversion-resistant, or inflexible, drinking behavior. Previous studies in our lab have found that females are more aversion-resistant than males in that they tolerate higher concentrations of quinine before they suppress their alcohol intake. Interestingly, we did not observe any differences in intake across the estrous cycle. In regards to neuronal activation patterns during quinine-alcohol intake, we have found that male mice show higher levels of activation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and posterior insular cortex, while females show higher levels of activation in the ventral tegmental area.MethodsIn the experiments presented here, we conducted ovariectomies to further examine the role of circulating sex hormones in aversion-resistant alcohol intake and neuronal activation patterns. Furthermore, we used hormonal addback of estradiol or progesterone to determine which ovarian sex hormone mediates aversion-resistant consumption.ResultsWe found that ovariectomy reduced quinine-adulterated alcohol intake, demonstrating that circulating sex hormones play a role in this behavior. We also observed reduced neuronal activation in the VTA of ovariectomized mice compared to sham females, and that estradiol supplementation reversed the effect of ovariectomy on quinine-alcohol intake.DiscussionTaken together with our prior data, these findings suggest that circulating estradiol contributes to the expression of aversion-resistant alcohol intake and neuronal activity in the VTA. However, since this behavior is not affected by the estrous cycle, we believe this is due to a threshold level of this hormone, as opposed to fluctuations that occur across the estrous cycle. |
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| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-453X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T13:50:09Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-6255dd90710248c4907e19412029849c2023-11-02T09:10:09ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2023-11-011710.3389/fnins.2023.12822301282230Estradiol mediates sex differences in aversion-resistant alcohol intakeMiranda E. ArnoldEllie B. Decker RamirezLauren A. BeugelsdykM. Vitória Siano KuzolitzQiuyun JiangJesse R. SchankIntroductionAlcohol consumption despite negative consequences is a core symptom of alcohol use disorder. This can be modeled in mice by pairing aversive stimuli with alcohol consumption, such as adding the bitter tastant quinine to the alcohol solution. If an animal continues to drink alcohol despite such negative stimuli, this is typically considered aversion-resistant, or inflexible, drinking behavior. Previous studies in our lab have found that females are more aversion-resistant than males in that they tolerate higher concentrations of quinine before they suppress their alcohol intake. Interestingly, we did not observe any differences in intake across the estrous cycle. In regards to neuronal activation patterns during quinine-alcohol intake, we have found that male mice show higher levels of activation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and posterior insular cortex, while females show higher levels of activation in the ventral tegmental area.MethodsIn the experiments presented here, we conducted ovariectomies to further examine the role of circulating sex hormones in aversion-resistant alcohol intake and neuronal activation patterns. Furthermore, we used hormonal addback of estradiol or progesterone to determine which ovarian sex hormone mediates aversion-resistant consumption.ResultsWe found that ovariectomy reduced quinine-adulterated alcohol intake, demonstrating that circulating sex hormones play a role in this behavior. We also observed reduced neuronal activation in the VTA of ovariectomized mice compared to sham females, and that estradiol supplementation reversed the effect of ovariectomy on quinine-alcohol intake.DiscussionTaken together with our prior data, these findings suggest that circulating estradiol contributes to the expression of aversion-resistant alcohol intake and neuronal activity in the VTA. However, since this behavior is not affected by the estrous cycle, we believe this is due to a threshold level of this hormone, as opposed to fluctuations that occur across the estrous cycle.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1282230/fullaversionalcoholhormonessex differencesventral tegmental area |
| spellingShingle | Miranda E. Arnold Ellie B. Decker Ramirez Lauren A. Beugelsdyk M. Vitória Siano Kuzolitz Qiuyun Jiang Jesse R. Schank Estradiol mediates sex differences in aversion-resistant alcohol intake Frontiers in Neuroscience aversion alcohol hormones sex differences ventral tegmental area |
| title | Estradiol mediates sex differences in aversion-resistant alcohol intake |
| title_full | Estradiol mediates sex differences in aversion-resistant alcohol intake |
| title_fullStr | Estradiol mediates sex differences in aversion-resistant alcohol intake |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estradiol mediates sex differences in aversion-resistant alcohol intake |
| title_short | Estradiol mediates sex differences in aversion-resistant alcohol intake |
| title_sort | estradiol mediates sex differences in aversion resistant alcohol intake |
| topic | aversion alcohol hormones sex differences ventral tegmental area |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1282230/full |
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