Abstract
Expression of steroidogenic factor 1 in neurons in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus in rats was studied using an immunohistochemical method and western blotting in young (2–3 months) and aged (2–2.5 years) male and female rats. Steroidogenic factor 1 was present in a majority of neurons in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus in young and aged rats, in the dorsomedial part of the nucleus. In aged rats, the proportion of neurons immunoreactive to steroidogenic factor 1 decreased significantly, from 88% to 68% in males and from 82 to 66% in females. There were no significant sex-related differences in the numbers of immunopositive neurons in either age group. Expression of steroidogenic factor 1 was also significantly lower in aged male and female rats in terms of western blot results. Thus, aging was associated with changes in the neurochemical composition of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, which is involved in regulating energy metabolism and sexual behavior.
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