Estradiol and Progesterone Modulate Spontaneous Sleep Patterns and Recovery from Sleep Deprivation in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Estradiol promotes arousal in the active phase in sleep-satiated rats, but after sleep loss, both estradiol and progesterone selectively facilitate REMS rebound while reducing NREMS intensity. These results indicate that effects of ovarian hormones on recovery sleep differ from those on spontaneous sleep. The hormonal modulation of recovery sleep architecture may affect recovery of sleep related functions after sleep loss.