Maternal Separation Induces Long-Term Alterations in the Cardiac Oxytocin Receptor and Cystathionine γ-Lyase Expression in Mice

Figure 4

Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses of the cardiac Oxtr and CSE expression in the STSS paradigm. Representative Western blot of Oxtr protein expression in the STSS paradigm (a) and quantitative results (b) revealed significantly elevated Oxtr expression in STSS-exposed animals. Immunohistochemistry of Oxtr and CSE expression in the STSS-exposed animals compared to their respective controls revealed upregulated Oxtr expression after STSS (d). No significant changes in CSE expression were detectable after STSS (f). Corresponding exemplary pictures of LV myocardium are shown in (c, e). Data given as box plots (median, interquartile range, minimum, and maximum). Oxtr: oxytocin receptor; CSE: cystathionine γ-lyase; STSS: short-term separation stress; CON: control; LV: left ventricular.

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