Fig. 7. Sex differences in Akt1 mRNA expression and pAKT protein densities following oxycodone CPP.

A. In the medial hippocampus (MH), Akt1 mRNA expression is significantly higher in Oxy-females (OF) compared to Sal-females (SF) and Oxy-males (OM). Moreover, Akt1 mRNA expression is significantly higher in Sal-males (SM) compared to Oxy-males. B. Representative light microscope micrographs show greater pAKT-ir in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer (PCL) of a Sal-male compared to an Oxy-male. SO, stratum oriens; nSR and dSR, near and distal stratum radiatum, respectively. C & D. There were no differences in pAKT-ir between Oxy- and Sal-females. Sal-males had significantly more pAKT-ir in the PCL compared to Oxy-males. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.