Table 1:
Estrogen | Progesterone | Testosterone | |
Brain | ↑Mu-opioid receptor availability | Anxiolytic | Analgesic |
↑Hippocampal excitability | Sedative | ↑↓seizure threshold | |
↑5-HT | Analgesic | ↑Noradrenaline | |
↓Noradrenaline | Anticonvulsant | Mediate aggressive behaviour | |
↑↓anxiety/stress | Modulate GABA | Organisational effects on sexually dimorphic behaviours | |
Promote myelination | |||
Mediate male aggression towards infants | Modulate endogenous opioids | ||
Regulate aromatase activity | |||
Spinal Cord | Modulate dorsal horn response to pain | Mediate hypersensitivity after nerve root damage | Modulate dorsal horn response in neuropathic pain |
Neuroprotective | |||
Peripheral Nerve | Sensitise uterine and cervical afferents ↑glutamatergic nociceptor activity | Neuroprotective | Facilitate release of ACh |
Immune System | Δ T and B cell proliferation and phenotype | Anti-inflammatory | ↓cellular immune response |
Δ cytokine and immunoglobulin balance | Modulate immune response | ||
Musculoskeletal System | ↑bone deposition | ↑bone deposition | ↑bone density and strength |
↑muscle mass recovery following disuse | Smooth muscle relaxant | ↑muscle mass | |
Cardiovascular System | Δ NO synthesis | ↑vasodilation | ↑vasoconstriction |
Δ vasodilation |
Abbreviations: 5-HT, 5- hydroxytryptamine; ACh, acetylcholine; NO, nitric oxide