Estrus variation in anxiolytic-like effects of intra-lateral septal infusions of the neuropeptide Y in Wistar rats in two animal models of anxiety-like behavior

Anxiolytic-like effects of intra-lateral septal infusions of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) were assessed during several estrus phases in Wistar rats tested in two animal models of anxiety-like behavior. In a conflict operant test, results showed that during late proestrus, intra-lateral septal nuclei infusions of NPY (1.0 μg/μl, P < 0.05; 2.0 μg/μl, P < 0.05; 2.5 μg/μl, P < 0.05) increased the number of immediately punished responses. During metestrus–diestrus only the highest doses of NPY (2.5 μg/μl, P < 0.05) increased the number of immediately punished reinforcers. In the elevated plus-maze test, results showed that during late proestrus, intra-lateral septal nuclei infusions of NPY (1.0 μg/μl, P < 0.05; 2.0 μg/μl, P < 0.05) produced anxiolytic-like actions. During metestrus–diestrus only the highest doses of NPY (2.0 μg/μl, P < 0.05) produced anxiolytic-like actions. Neither NPY nor estrus phases significantly modified the number of closed arms entries in the elevated plus-maze test. It is concluded that anxiolytic-like effects of NPY vary within the estrus cycle in Wistar rats.