Testosterone has sublayer-specific effects on dendritic spine maturation mediated by BDNF and PSD-95 in pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus CA1 area

► Testosterone regulates the spine density in a sublayer-specific manner in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. ► Gonadectomy induces a morphological change of the spine with a marked reduction of mushroom-type spines. ► Gonadectomy reduces the expression of BDNF and PSD-95 in the CA1 area. ► Testosterone regulates spine maturation through regulation of BDNF and PSD-95 in the CA1 area.