Fig. 6

Pre-treatment with 17-β estradiol in male rats leads to increased white matter damage and more neutrophil infiltration after ICV injection of thrombin. A T2 weighted MRI showing white matter hyperintensity (outline) at 24 h after thrombin intraventricular injection in male rats pretreated with 17-β estradiol or vehicle. Quantification of the white matter damage in each group is shown in the bar chart. B Representative H&E and MPO staining images showing more neutrophil infiltration into the white matter injury region 24 h post thrombin-injection in male rats pretreated with 17-β estradiol or vehicle. Quantification of the number of MPO positive cells in each group is shown in the bar chart. Values are expressed as the means ± SD, n = 6 in each group; *p < 0.05 vs. male vehicle treatment group. Lower magnification, scale bar = 50 μm; higher magnification, scale bar = 10 μm