Figure 7.

Perinatal exposure to an ERβ agonist decreased female MSN inward rectification to male levels. Linear range input resistance versus rectified range input resistance plot. Females with perinatal exposure to vehicle displayed the greatest inward rectification. Males with perinatal exposure to vehicle and females with perinatal exposure to the ERβ agonist DPN displayed the least inward rectification. A linear regression analysis revealed that the slopes between the calculated regression lines significantly differ (P < 0.0001). Linear range input resistance was calculated from the least hyperpolarizing current pulse injected into the neuron that produces a reliable measureable change in steady-state membrane potential. Rectified range input resistance was calculated from the steady-state membrane potential in response to the most hyperpolarizing current pulse injected into the neuron. A nonrectifying neuron would exhibit identical linear range and rectified range input resistances and would fall on the nonrectified unity line (purple). A neuron exhibiting inward rectification in its membrane potential in response to increasing hyperpolarizing current pulses would fall in the bottom half of the plot, below the nonrectified unity line (mauve shading). ER, estrogen receptor; MSN, medium spiny neuron.