Effects of manipulating progesterone and NMDA receptors in the ventral tegmental area for lordosis of hamsters and rats

Central Actions of 3α,5α-THP Involving NMDA and GABAA Receptors Regulate Affective and Sexual Behavior of Female Rats

The neurosteroid, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (known as “allopregnanolone” or 3α,5α-THP), is produced in the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA), independent of peripheral sources of progestogens, where it has potential actions at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and GABA_A receptors to facilitate rodent sexual behavior. Progestogens can also have anti-anxiety effects, but whether these involve actions of centrally-derived 3α,5α-THP or these receptors to support reproductively-relevant behavior is not well understood. We investigated the extent to which 3α,5α-THP’s actions via NMDA and/or GABA_A receptors in the midbrain VTA influence reproductive behaviors. Estradiol-primed, ovariectomized/adrenalectomized (OVX/ADX) rats received midbrain VTA infusions of vehicle, an NMDA receptor blocker (MK-801; 200 ng), or a GABA_A receptor blocker (bicuculline; 100 ng) followed by a second infusion of vehicle or 3α,5α-THP (100 ng). Reproductively-relevant behaviors were assessed: sexual (paced mating), anxiety-like (elevated plus maze), and social (partner preference, social interaction) behavior. Compared to vehicle, intra-VTA infusions of MK-801 exerted anxiolytic-like effects on elevated plus maze behavior and enhanced lordosis. Unlike prior observations in gonadally-intact rats, intra-VTA bicuculline had no effect on the behavior of OVX/ADX rats (likely due to a floor effect). Subsequent infusions of 3α,5α-THP reversed effects on lordosis and infusions of bicuculline inhibited 3α,5α-THP-facilitated lordosis. Thus, NMDA and GABA_A receptors may act as mediators for reproductive behavioral effects of 3α,5α-THP in the midbrain VTA.

Novel progesterone receptors: neural localization and possible functions

Progesterone (P₄) regulates a wide range of neural functions and likely acts through multiple receptors. Over the past 30 years, most studies investigating neural effects of P₄ focused on genomic and non-genomic actions of the classical progestin receptor (PGR). More recently the focus has widened to include two groups of non-classical P₄ signaling molecules. Members of the Class II progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family are called membrane progestin receptors (mPRs) and include: mPRα (PAQR7), mPRβ (PAQR8), mPRγ (PAQR5), mPRδ (PAQR6), and mPRε (PAQR9). Members of the b5-like heme/steroid-binding protein family include progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), PGRMC2, neudesin, and neuferricin. Results of our recent mapping studies show that members of the PGRMC1/S2R family, but not mPRs, are quite abundant in forebrain structures important for neuroendocrine regulation and other non-genomic effects of P₄. Herein we describe the structures, neuroanatomical localization, and signaling mechanisms of these molecules. We also discuss possible roles for Pgrmc1/S2R in gonadotropin release, feminine sexual behaviors, fluid balance and neuroprotection, as well as catamenial epilepsy.

Effects and Mechanisms of 3α,5α,-THP on Emotion, Motivation, and Reward Functions Involving Pregnane Xenobiotic Receptor

Progestogens [progesterone (P(4)) and its products] play fundamental roles in the development and/or function of the central nervous system during pregnancy. We, and others, have investigated the role of pregnane neurosteroids for a plethora of functional effects beyond their pro-gestational processes. Emerging findings regarding the effects, mechanisms, and sources of neurosteroids have challenged traditional dogma about steroid action. How the P(4) metabolite and neurosteroid, 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THP), influences cellular functions and behavioral processes involved in emotion/affect, motivation, and reward, is the focus of the present review. To further understand these processes, we have utilized an animal model assessing the effects, mechanisms, and sources of 3α,5α-THP. In the ventral tegmental area (VTA), 3α,5α-THP has actions to facilitate affective, and motivated, social behaviors through non-traditional targets, such as GABA, glutamate, and dopamine receptors. 3α,5α-THP levels in the midbrain VTA both facilitate, and/or are enhanced by, affective and social behavior. The pregnane xenobiotic receptor (PXR) mediates the production of, and/or metabolism to, various neurobiological factors. PXR is localized to the midbrain VTA of rats. The role of PXR to influence 3α,5α-THP production from central biosynthesis, and/or metabolism of peripheral P(4), in the VTA, as well as its role to facilitate, or be increased by, affective/social behaviors is under investigation. Investigating novel behavioral functions of 3α,5α-THP extends our knowledge of the neurobiology of progestogens, relevant for affective/social behaviors, and their connections to systems that regulate affect and motivated processes, such as those important for stress regulation and neuropsychiatric disorders (anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, drug dependence). Thus, further understanding of 3α,5α-THP's role and mechanisms to enhance affective and motivated processes is essential.

Novel substrates for, and sources of, progestogens for reproduction

Steroid hormones, such as progesterone, are typically considered to be primarily secreted by the gonads (albeit adrenals can also be a source) and to exert their actions through cognate intracellular progestin receptors (PRs). Through its actions in the midbrain ventral tegmental Area (VTA), progesterone mediates appetitive (exploratory, anxiety, social approach) and consummatory (social, sexual) aspects of rodents' mating behaviour. However, progesterone and its natural metabolites ('progestogens') are produced in the midbrain VTA independent of peripheral sources and midbrain VTA of adult rodents is devoid of intracellular PRs. One approach that we have used to understand the effects of progesterone and mechanisms in the VTA for mating is to manipulate the actions of progesterone in the VTA and to examine effects on lordosis (the posture female rodents assume for mating to occur). This review focuses on the effects and mechanisms of progestogens to influence reproduction and related processes. The actions of progesterone and its 5α-reduced metabolite and neurosteroid, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP; allopregnanolone) in the midbrain VTA to facilitate mating are described. The findings that 3α,5α-THP biosynthesis in the midbrain occurs with mating are discussed. Evidence for the actions of 3α,5α-THP in the midbrain VTA via nontraditional steroid targets is summarised. The broader relevance of these actions of 3α,5α-THP for aspects of reproduction, beyond lordosis, is summarised. Finally, the potential role of the pregnane xenobiotic receptor in mediating 3α,5α-THP biosynthesis in the midbrain is introduced.

Effects of neurosteroid actions at N-methyl-D-aspartate and GABA A receptors in the midbrain ventral tegmental area for anxiety-like and mating behavior of female rats

RATIONALE

In the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA), actions of neurosteroids, such as the progesterone metabolite, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP), can facilitate mating and influence stress-related processes. Some actions of 3α,5α-THP may occur via positive modulation of GABA(A) receptors (GBRs), or negative modulation of N-methyl-D: -aspartate receptors (NMDARs), to influence anxiety-like behavior; but this is not known.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the role that neurosteroids and stress factors play on intra-VTA NMDAR- and/or GBR-mediated anxiety-like and mating behavior.

METHODS

Estradiol-primed, ovariectomized rats, which were partially or completely adrenalectomized (ADX), received infusions of vehicle, an NMDAR blocker (MK-801; 200 ng), or a GBR antagonist (bicuculline, 100 ng) to the VTA. Rats then received intra-VTA vehicle or a neurosteroidogenesis enhancer (N,N-Dihexyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)indole-3-acetamide, FGIN 1-27, 5 μg) and anxiety-like and sexual behavior was assessed.

RESULTS

Complete, compared to partial, ADX significantly reduced open arm exploration on an elevated plus maze, the proportion of females that engaged in mating, lordosis quotients, pacing of sexual contacts, and defensive aggression towards a sexually vigorous male. Intra-VTA MK-801 enhanced open arm investigation and the proportion of females that engaged in mating. Infusions of either, MK-801 or FGIN 1-27, enhanced lordosis and, when co-administered, FGIN 1-27 attenuated MK-801's lordosis-enhancing effects. Intra-VTA infusions of bicuculline, prior to FGIN 1-27, blocked FGIN 1-27's effects to enhance lordosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these data suggest that reduced NMDAR activity in the VTA may influence motivation to explore and engage in sexual behavior. These data suggest that neurosteroid actions at NMDARs and GBRs in the VTA are important for exploration and/or sexual behavior.