Sex differences in alcohol sensitivity following stress hormone exposure (2016)

Undergraduates: Rachel Barndt, Pedroza S, Besheer J

Faculty Advisor: Joyce Besheer
Department: Psychology & Neuroscience

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Sensitivity to the interoceptive effects of alcohol is blunted and alcohol consumption is increased following exposure to the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT). This has primarily been studied in male rats; therefore we sought to determine if there is a sex difference in the effects of alcohol following CORT exposure. After a one-week exposure to either CORT (0.3 mg/ml) or water in the home cage, animals were given an intragastric (IG) gavage of either alcohol (1 g/kg) or water. Approximately 90 minutes later, the 24 Long Evans females and 24 Long Evans males were sacrificed and their blood collected for later analysis of blood alcohol and stress hormone levels. Brains were collected for analysis of c-Fos, an immediate early gene and marker for neural activity. Examining sex differences in the sensitivity and brain regional response to alcohol during stressful events may further our understanding of neuroadaptations that modulate the alcohol-related behaviors.