Chapter 9 266 effectively reduced allopregnanolone levels, and that this reduction was associated with reductions in social behavior and sexual motivation. Pluchino et al. (2008) found that administration of testosterone and estradiol increased levels of allopregnanolone in both female and male rats, but that this increase was more pronounced in female rats, raising the question of whether these effects might be stronger in females. These studies underline the relevance of studying the allopregnanolone system in relation to effects of OCs and GAHT. Figure 9.2. Illustration of possible mechanisms through which sex hormone changes could affect mood. Created using Biorender.com. 2.3. Sex hormones and sleep There are numerous neural mechanisms which regulate sleep-wake rhythms (i.e., whether one is asleep or not) as well as sleep stages (i.e., what happens during sleep). The timing of sleep-wake rhythms is partially regulated by the circadian rhythm; this process is called the C-process. The circadian rhythm is driven by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and pineal gland as well as by
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw