Time-dependence trend of hematoma absorption, neurological deficit, brain water content and the neuroprotective effect of progesterone. (A) Representative images of the brain tissues slices at 1, 3 and 7 days after ICH. (B) Brain water content at 1, 3, and 7 days after ICH. (C) Neurological deficit score at 1, 3, and 7 days after ICH. (D) Representative image of 7.0T MRI in each group. (E) The pathological injury was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. (F, G) On day 3 after ICH, progesterone treatment reduced brain water content and improved neurological deficit. n = 6 animals per group. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM; **P < 0.01 vs. sham; #P < 0.05 vs. ICH group; ##P < 0.01 vs. ICH group. &P<0.05 vs. ICH 1d group; $$P<0.01 vs. ICH 3d group. ICH: intracerebral hemorrhage.