Evaluation of memory status following administration of depo-provera in female wistar rats

Abstract

Background: Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is the most commonly used progestin component of hormone therapy (HT). In vitro , MPA negatively impacts markers of neuronal health and exacerbates experimentally induced neurotoxicity. There is in vitro evidence that these factors are driven by GABAergic and neurotrophic systems. Whether these effects translate to a negative impact on brain function has not been tested in vivo , clinically or preclinically. Aim: The goal of the present study was to determine whether MPA exerts detrimental effects on cognitive function in actively reproducing rats using Y-maze apparatus. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four female rats were randomly selected into three groups. Control group, Low dose (100 mg/1 ml MPA) group, and High dose (200 mg/1 ml MPA) group, respectively. Dose was delivered by intramuscular injection for the period of 3 weeks. Result: Intramuscular administration of MPA resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in memory and locomotion activities of the female wistar rats ( P Discussion: These findings suggest that MPA, the most commonly used progestin in HT, is detrimental to learning and two types of memory, and possibly modulates the GABAergic system in cognitive brain regions, in actively reproducing rats. These findings, combined with in vitro evidence that MPA is detrimental to neuronal health, indicates that MPA has negative effects for brain health and function. Conclusion: Therefore, MPA despite being effective in modulating hormonal interaction to prevent conception in actively reproducing females, learning and memory depression could be one of its adverse effects.