Barreto, Jennifer L., PhD
Professor
Contact Info
RESEARCH INTEREST
CNS molecular/cellular changes linked to reproductive health after exposure to androgens during puberty.
Our laboratory investigates the cellular and behavioral changes in response to exposure to natural and synthetic androgens. We are currently studying effects of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) on anxiety, reproductive behaviors and energy metabolism. Cellular substrates such as neuropeptides and neurotransmitters present in the hypothalamus and amygdala are possible candidates for modulation by AAS. Experiments are done both in vivo and in vitro. Results will provide novel information to understand the behavioral consequences of AAS induce cellular regulation from adolescents to adults.
Present Funding
NIH R16 SuRE Grant
Selected Publications
- Lloret-Torres ME, Ayala-Pagán RN, Martínez-Rivera FJ, Bonilla-Rullán P, Barreto-Estrada JL. Hippocampal and amygdalar increased BDNF expression in the extinction of opioid-induced place preference. IBRO Neurosci Rep. 2022 Dec;13:402-409. doi: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.10.007. Epub 2022 Oct 19. PMID: 36275846; PMCID: PMC9580243.
- Martínez-Rivera FJ, Martinez NA, Martinez M, Ayala-Pagán RN, Silva WI, Barreto-Estrada JL (2019) Neuroplasticity transcript profile of the ventral striatum in the extinction of opioid-induced conditioned place preference. Neurobiol Learn Mem, Sep;163:107031. doi: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.107031. Epub 2019 Jun 4.PMID:31173919
- Martínez-Rivera FJ*, Barreto-Estrada JL (2018) Reply to: Does High-Frequency Deep Brain Stimulation in Dorsal Regions of the Ventral Striatum Impair Extinction of Morphine-Induced Place Preference? Biol Psychiatry. Jan 1;83(1):e21. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.06.006. PMID: 28673441
- Martínez-Rivera FJ*, Pérez-Laspiur J, Santiago-Gascot ME, García-Santiago E, Rodríguez-Pérez Y, Alemán-Reyes AG, Otero-Pagán I, Meléndez LM, Barreto-Estrada JL (2017) Differential protein expression profile in the hypothalamic GT1-7 cell line after exposure to anabolic androgenic steroids. Steroids Journal. Accepted for publication.
- Martínez-Rivera FJ*, Rodríguez-Romaguera J*, Lloret-Torres ME*, Do Monte FH**, Quirk GJ, Barreto-Estrada JL (2016) Bidirectional modulation of extinction of drug seeking by deep brain stimulation of the ventral striatum. Biological Psychiatry. Nov 1, 80(9):682-690.
- Martínez-Rivera FL, Natal-Albelo EJ, Martinez NA, Orozco-Vega RA, Muñiz-Seda OA, Barreto-Estrada JL (2015) The effect of the anabolic steroid, nandrolone, in conditioned place preference and D1 dopamine receptor expression in adolescent and adult mice. Behavioural Processes, 113:81-85.
- Ramos-Pratts K*, Rosa-González D, Pérez-Acevedo NL, Cintrón-López D, Barreto-Estrada JL (2013) Sex-specific effect of the anabolic steroid, 17α-methyltestosterone, on inhibitory avoidance learning in periadolescent rats. Behav Processes. 99:73-80.
- Acevedo P, Jorge JC, Cruz-Sánchez A, Amy E, Barreto-Estrada JL. (2011) A ten-year assessment of anabolic steroid misuse among competitive athletes in Puerto Rico. West Indian Med J 60(5):531-535.
- Sánchez Montoya EL, Hernández L, Barreto-Estrada JL, Ortiz JG, Jorge JC. (2010) The testosterone metabolite 3a-diol enhances female rat sexual motivation when infused in the nucleus accumbens shell. J Sex Med 7(11):3598-3609.
- Parrilla-Carrero J, Figueroa O, Lugo A, García-Sosa R, Brito-Vargas P, Cruz B, Rivera M, Barreto-Estrada JL. (2009) The anabolic steroids testosterone propionate and nandrolone but not 17α-methyltestosterone induce conditioned place preference in adult mice. Drug & Alcohol Depend. 100(1-2):122-7.
- Barreto-Estrada JL, Parrilla-Carrero J, Jorge JC. (2007) Exposure to an anabolic steroid changes female mice sexual responses according to sex partner. J Sex Med 4(4 Pt 1):878-885.
- Barreto-Estrada Jennifer, Barreto J, Fortis-Santiago Y, Rivera-Ramos I, Fortis Santiago A, Jorge JC. (2004) Modulation of affect after chronic exposure to the anabolic steroid 17α-methyltestosterone in adult mice. Behavioral Neuroscience 118(5):1071-1079.
- Barreto-Estrada Jennifer, Medina W, García-Arrarás JE. (2003) The morphological and biochemical response of avian embryonic sympathoadrenal cells to NGF is developmentally regulated. Developmental Brain Research 144:1-8.
- Ramírez-Ordóñez R, Barreto-Estrada JL, García-Arrarás JE. (1999) Growth factors effects on the expression of morphological and biochemical properties of avian embryonic sympathetic cells. Emphasis on NGF. Developmental Brain Research, 114: 27-36
- Barreto-Estrada J, Medina-Vera L, De Jesús-Escobar J, García-Arrarás JE. (1997) Development of galanin- and enkephalin-like immunoreactivities in the sympathoadrenal lineage of the avian embryo; In vivo and in vitro studies. Developmental Neuroscience. 19: 328-336.