Regulation of cocaine-related behaviours by estrogen and progesterone

Women are more sensitive to cocaine craving elicited by stimuli associated with relapse. Ovarian hormones modulate cocaine craving and may therefore function as risk factors or therapeutic agents for the development and treatment of cocaine use disorder, respectively. We review herein the neuropharmacological effects of the steroid hormones 17ß-estradiol, progesterone, and allopregnanolone, a progesterone metabolite, in relation to their effects on cocaine-induced locomotion, behavioural sensitization, conditioned place preference, and reinstatement of cocaine seeking. In general, the literature suggests that female rats are more sensitive to these cocaine-induced behaviours than males and that 17ß-estradiol facilitates the expression of these sex differences. Alternatively, in females, exogenous progesterone attenuates cocaine conditioned place preference, reinstatement, and possibly behavioural sensitization, either on its own or after conversion to allopregnanolone. These opposing effects of 17ß-estradiol and progesterone/allopregnanolone involve endocannabinoid, γ-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, and glutamate transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex and striatum. We conclude that 17ß-estradiol may be a risk factor for various components of cocaine use disorder in women, whereas progesterone and allopregnanolone may be potential treatment options. •Women are more sensitive to cue-induced cocaine craving.•Ovarian hormones modulate cocaine craving.•Steroid hormones effect cocaine-related behaviors in pre-clinical literature.•Steroid hormones interact with reward and reinforcement circuitry.