Estrogens and progestins enhance spatial learning of intact and ovariectomized rats in the object placement task.

Steroid modulation of cognitive function has focused on estrogen (E(2)), but progestins naturally co-vary with E(2) and may also influence cognitive performance. Spatial performance in the object placement task over endogenous hormonal states in which E(2) and progestins vary, and when E(2) and/or progestins were administered, was examined. Experiment 1: Rats in proestrus or estrus had significantly better performance in the object placement task than did diestrus rats.