Poster 64: Cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the sub-granular zone of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus has been implicated in hippocampal-dependent functions such as learning and memory. This study builds upon previous research in our laboratory testing the effects of sexual interactions on neurogenesis while also analyzing the confounding effects of rat strain differences. Twenty-four adult male Sprauge-Dawley rats and 24 Longs Evans rats were used, and each strain was divided into a “sex group” and a “no-sex group”. The sex groups were exposed to one 30 min sexual encounter with a female rat with induced estrus. Immediately after the interaction, males were injected with the DNA synthesis marker 5’-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU). During the same time period, no-sex rats of the same strain were also injected with BrdU. Peroxidase immunohistochemistry was performed to stain proliferating cells, which were then examined under light microscopy. Data collection is currently in progress.
