Neuroprotective effects of estradiol in newborn female rat hippocampus.

Perinatal brain injury, consequent to hypoxic/ischemic events, is associated with the release of excess excitatory neurotransmitters, including glutamate. We have previously shown that administration of a glutamate receptor agonist, kainic acid (KA), to postnatal day 0 (PN0) and PN1 rats results in damage selective to the dentate gyrus of females. Pretreatment with the gonadal steroid estradiol prevents KA-induced damage to the female dentate gyrus.