Sex Differences in Mu-Opioid Receptor Expression within Norepinephrine Neurons of the Mouse Locus Coeruleus (2023)
Undergraduates: Isabel Myers-Miller, Zander Vierling, Conner White, Mae Rowley
Faculty Advisor: Sabrina Robertson
Department: Psychology & Neuroscience
The mu-opioid receptor (MOR) plays a role in inhibition of the norepinephrine system (NE), a neuromodulatory system known to have a significant impact on activation of the stress response. Here we illustrate sex differences in MOR expression within the locus coeruleus (LC) of mice and discuss the possible impacts of differential MOR expression on the sexual dimorphism of psychiatric disorders such as stress and anxiety. Our immunofluorescence data supports the hypothesis that MOR impacts the sexual dimorphism of certain psychiatric disorders, as MOR is found at significantly higher density in NE neurons of the LC of male mice compared to female mice. A higher quantity of MOR in the LC of male mice compared to female mice may relate to the fact that males are significantly less likely to develop a stress or anxiety disorder compared to females. Therefore, understanding the sexual dimorphism of MOR within the NE system may prove vital in combating the impacts of these psychiatric disorders.
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