Sex Differences in Electrophysiological Properties of Mouse Medial Preoptic Area Neurons Revealed by In Vitro Whole-cell Recordings

In this study, by performing whole-cell patch clamp recordings of the mPOA, we investigated the influences of sex, cell type, and gonadal hormones on the electrophysiological properties of mPOA neurons. Notably, we uncovered significant sex differences in input resistance (male  >  female) and in the percentage of neurons that displayed post-inhibitory rebound (male >  female). Furthermore, we found that the current mediated by the T-type Ca2+ channel (IT), which is known to underlie post-inhibitory rebound, was indeed larger in male mPOA neurons. Thus, we have identified salient electrophysiological properties of mPOA neurons, namelyIT and post-inhibitory rebound, that are male-biased and likely contribute to the sexually dimorphic display of behaviors.
Source: Neuroscience Bulletin - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research