Depo-Provera effects on Wistar rat performance in the Y-maze

Medroxyprogesterone acetate is the most commonly used progestin component of hormone therapy. The goal of the present study was to determine whether Medroxyprogesterone affects rat behavior using a Y-maze test. Twenty-four Female Wistar rats were randomly selected into three groups; control group, a low dose (13 mg/ml MPA) group and a high dose (33 mg/1 ml MPA) group. Doses of Medroxyprogesterone were delivered by intramuscular injection for a period of 3 weeks. Medroxyprogesterone administration resulted in a decrease in memory and locomotion activity of rats (p < 0.05). Despite Medroxyprogesterone being effective in modulating hormonal interaction to prevent conception in actively reproducing females, cognitive impairment could be one of its adverse effects.