Neurosteroid modulation of arterial baroreflex function in the rostral ventrolateral medulla

Cheryl M. Heesch A positive modulator of GABA A receptors is progesterone metobilite 3α-hydroxy-dihydroprogesterone. We know that during pregnancy and ovarian cycle that the amount of progesterone fluctuates depending on the stage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pregnancy on pregnancy and if this could be imitated in non-pregnant rats. In order to test this GABA and 3α-OH-DHP or 3β-OH-DHP was injected into the RVLM. They used GABA in order to find RVLM.The right NTS was lesion in order to prevent baroreflex compensation. Then the baroreflex was tested before and after the injections. They found that the MAP baseline between the active metabolite 3α-OH_DHP and the inactive metabolite 3β-OH-DHP. When they checked the baroreflex they found that the difference within group for the active metabolite compared to the control value was different. As for the inactive the found no difference in comparison to control values. They found that 3α-OH-DHP lead to suppression of arterial baroreflex sympathoexcitation. -MD