| Popis: |
Research suggests that certain gut and dietary factors may worsen symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Studies have shown that treatment with the bacterial product, propionic acid (PPA), elicits neuroinflammatory and behavioral responses in rats that are characteristic of ASD in humans. A consistent male bias in ASD prevalence has been observed, and several sex-differential genetic and hormonal factors have been suggested to contribute. However, most studies of ASD, including those involving PPA, focus on males. The present study explored putative sex differences in the effects of PPA (500mg/kg) on a rat behavioral ASD phenotype and the influence of the estrous cycle and fluctuations in estradiol and progesterone. This was accompanied by examinations of the effects of ovariectomy and hormone replacement therapy with estradiol and progesterone. PPA produced no sex-differential effects, and elevated hormonal levels did not seem to play a protective role against the adverse effects of PPA. |
