Fig. 4

Sex-specific alteration in dendritic spine density. A, B Representative NeuN-stained images of neuronal density in the dorsal striatum of both sexes. Scale bar: 50 µm. C Genotype significantly affects cortical neuronal density. D Neuronal density in the hippocampus CA1 region consistent across groups. E Dorsal striatum neuronal density varies by sex. F, G Glogi-stained images of secondary order dendritic segment with spines in the dorsal striatum, highlighted by purple arrow pointing to dendritic spines, scale bar: 5 µm. H Cortical spine density indicate significant difference by sex and sex-genotype interaction, with decreases in P2RY12-deficient female and increases in deficient males compared to their sufficient counterparts. I Hippocampal CA1 spine density reveals a significant sex-genotype interaction. J Dorsal striatum spine density shows significant sex and sex-genotype interaction, with a decrease in P2RY12-deficient female but no change in deficient males compared to sufficient counterparts. Statistical analysis was conducted using 2-WAY ANOVA, with Tukey’s post hoc test for specific comparisons. Significance was set as p < 0.05. Data are presented as mean ± SEM for N = 3–5 mice per group. Significance levels: *p denotes p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001