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[Preprint]. 2024 Aug 3:2024.08.02.606264. [Version 1] doi: 10.1101/2024.08.02.606264

Figure 6. ARS induces sexually dimorphic responses in vSUB-aBNST in vivo calcium activities and anxiety-like behavior.

Figure 6

(a) Schematic of dual virus injection and monitoring in vivo calcium activity of aBNST-projecting vSUB cells in control (pre), ARS, and stress recovery periods (post). (B-D, I-K) The representative traces and heatmaps of in vivo calcium activities time-locked to locomotor initiation during the control phase (B female; I male) and the stress recovery phase (D female; K male) or time-locked to struggle initiation (i.e. trunk movement) during the ARS procedure (C female; J male) in mice. (E,L) Overlay of representative traces for females (E; B-D) and males (L; I-K). (F,M)The amplitude of calcium events represented as the Z-score of calcium events in female (f; Pre vs ARS **P=0.0095; Pre vs Post P=0.2283; ARS vs Post P=0.1968; n=7) and male (M; Pre vs ARS **P=0.0029; Pre vs Post P=0.5494; ARS vs Post *P=0.0198; n=7) mice. (G,N) The average calcium event frequency during each phase in females (G; P=0.1210; n=7) and males (N; Pre vs ARS *P=0.0184; Pre vs Post P=0.6673; ARS vs Post **P=0.0039; n=7). (H,O) Overall population activity represented as the percent time above threshold in females (H; P=6835; n=7) and males (O; Pre vs ARS *P=0.0121; Pre vs Post **P=0.0053; ARS vs Post P=0.8916; n=7). (P) Male and female mice were restrained for 1 hr and 24 hrs later, anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the EZM. (Q,S) Anxiety-like behavior is conveyed as the percent time spent in the closed arm of the EZM for females (Q;*P=0.0233; control n=8, stress n=8) and males (S; P=0.9781; control n=11, stress n=11). (R,T) Distance traveled during the EZM test in females (R; P=0.1949) and males (T; P=0.7477). (U) Male and female mice were restrained for 1 hr and 1 w later, anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the EZM. (V,X) Anxiety-like for females (V;*P=0.0011; control n=7, stress n=7) and males (X; P=0.9081; control n=7, stress n=6). (W,Y) Distance traveled during the EZM test in females (W; P=0.8485) and males (Y; P=0.6807). Statistical significance was determined by a 1-way ANOVA or unpaired t-test. See also Figures S8.