Region- and sex-specific changes in CART mRNA in rat hypothalamic nuclei induced by forced swim stress

► Forced swim stress increased CART mRNA in female paraventricular nucleus. ► Forced swim stress did not change CART mRNA levels in male paraventricular nucleus. ► There was a significant sex difference in paraventricular CART mRNA levels. ► Forced swim stress increased CART mRNA in dorsomedial hypothalamus of both sexes. ► Forced swim stress decreased CART mRNA in ARC nucleus of both sexes.