Neuroactive Steroids Induce Changes in Fetal Sheep Behavior During Normoxic and Asphyxic States

The study on 34 pregnant ewes examined the effects of inhibiting allopregnanolone production on fetal sheep behavior during normoxic and asphyxic states. Finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, increased arousal-like activity and abnormal ECoG patterns, indicating a higher risk of brain injury due to hyperexcitability after hypoxia. In contrast, alfaxalone, a synthetic analog of allopregnanolone, reduced these effects and restored normal ECoG patterns, suggesting its protective role against asphyxia-induced brain damage. The findings highlighted the importance of neuroactive steroids in modulating CNS activity and protecting the fetal brain from hypoxia/ischemia-induced damage.