Upregulation of PVN CRHR1 by gestational intermittent hypoxia selectively triggers a male-specific anxiogenic effect in rat offspring

► Gestational hypoxia does not induce anxiety-like behavior in the postpartum dams. ► Gestational hypoxia induces anxiety-like behavior in male, but not female offspring. ► Gestational hypoxia induced-anxiety behavior is related to activated CRFR1 in PVN. ► CRHR2 is not involved in the anxiety-like behavior.