Figure 1. Overview of the experimental design.

After ovariectomy/sham surgery and capsule implantation day 0, rats were subjected to blood sampling and weighing procedures. Day 14, all animals except the sham group were inflicted cerebral ischemia via MCAo. Functional tests (tail swing test and cylinder test) were performed prior to MCAo and on day 15 and 17. After the testing on day 17, animals were decapitated and infarct sizes analyzed. The rats in the sham group were subjected to the same protocol, except that ovariectomy and MCAo were sham procedures.