**3.4 VD3 changes the behavior in the open field test of long-term OVX rats treated with 17β-E2 exposed to CUMS**

Following 28 days of CUMS protocol, there were no statistically significant differences for grooming activities between all the experimental groups of animals in the OFT (**Figure 5**, F(1,34) = 0.82, P > 0.05). The long-term OVX rats with CUMS

#### **Figure 5.**

*VD3 alters the behavior in the open field test of long-term OVX rats treated with 17β-E2 submitted to CUMS. (a) Crossing, (b) rearing, and (c) grooming. \* – P < 0.05 versus the control group, # – P < 0.05 versus to the SHAM group with CUMS, \$ – P < 0.05 versus to the OVX group with CUMS, and \$\$ – P < 0.05 versus to the OVX group with CUMS treated with 17β-E2. The data are presented as mean ± SD; n = 7 in each group.*

**163**

**Figure 6.**

*Vitamin D3 Modulates NF-kB/p65, 17β-Estradiol, and Vitamin D Receptors Expression…*

compared to the OVX/SHAM rats with CUMS plus solvent (**Figure 5**).

showed a decreased number of rearings and crossings when they were compared to the non-CUMS/CUMS SHAM groups (**Figure 5**, F(1,34) = 14.14, P < 0.05). Administration of fluoxetine, 17β-E2, as well as treatment with VD3 significantly elevated the number of rearings and crossings in the long-term OVX rats with CUMS

**3.5 VD3 alters serum estradiol and VD3 levels in long-term OVX rats treated** 

*VD3 alters serum estradiol and VD3 levels in long-term OVX rats treated with 17β-E2 submitted to CUMS. (a) estradiol, pg/ml and (b) 25-OH-VD3, μg/ml. \* – P < 0.05 versus the control group, # – P < 0.05 versus to the SHAM group with CUMS, \$ – P < 0.05 versus to the OVX group with CUMS, and \$\$ – P < 0.05 versus to the OVX group with CUMS treated with 17β-E2. The data are presented as mean ± SD; n = 7 in each group.*

The ELISA assay revealed decreased estradiol and VD3 concentrations in the long-term OVX rats with CUMS compared to the non-CUMS/CUMS SHAM groups (**Figure 6**, F(1,34) = 78.56, F(1,34) = 56.12, F(1,34) = 22.21, respectively, P < 0.05). Low dose of 17β-E2 induced increase of estradiol levels in the serum blood to some extent in the long-term OVX rats with CUMS, however, it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The co-administration of VD3 with 17β-E2 significantly increased estradiol and VD3 concentrations in the longterm OVX rats with CUMS compared to the OVX plus solvent or 17β-E2/SHAM with CUMS rats (**Figure 6**, P < 0.05). Fluoxetine did not change the serum

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89357*

**with 17β-E2 exposed to CUMS**

*Vitamin D3 Modulates NF-kB/p65, 17β-Estradiol, and Vitamin D Receptors Expression… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89357*

showed a decreased number of rearings and crossings when they were compared to the non-CUMS/CUMS SHAM groups (**Figure 5**, F(1,34) = 14.14, P < 0.05). Administration of fluoxetine, 17β-E2, as well as treatment with VD3 significantly elevated the number of rearings and crossings in the long-term OVX rats with CUMS compared to the OVX/SHAM rats with CUMS plus solvent (**Figure 5**).
