Figure 3.

E₂ attenuates the PACAP-induced outward current in POMC neurons observed under fasting conditions. (A,B) are representative membrane current traces during voltage clamp recordings in EtOH vehicle- (0.01% (v:v); n = 11) and E₂-treated (100 nM; n = 8) slices from OVX females that illustrate the estrogenic diminution of the robust and reversible PACAP-induced outward current and change in K⁺ conductance (as seen from the inset I/V plots). (C), Pie chart that indicates the percentage of POMC neurons from OVX females that are excited by, inhibited by, or unresponsive to PACAP under fasting conditions. (D,E) show the composite data underscoring the ability of E₂ to negatively modulate the PACAP response. Bars represent means and lines 1 SEM of the PACAP-induced ΔI and ΔG in POMC neurons from OVX females under fasting conditions. *, p < 0.05 relative to EtOH vehicle, Student’s t-test.