Fig. 1

Supraphysiological doses of 17β-Estradiol (sE2) exacerbate depression-like behaviors in ovariectomized mice. A Schematic illustration of the workflow of animal experiments. B Serum 17β-Estradiol levels in all groups of mice. C–E Body weight, grasp, and brain index in the different groups of mice before sacrifice. F Alternation score in the Y maze task. G The immobility time of mice in the forced swim test. Representative motion track (H), distance (I), and time spent in the center quadrant (J) of the mice in the open field. The sucrose preference index (K) was measured using sucrose preference test. Students t-test is performed to determine the significant difference based on P < 0.05 (*), P < 0.01 (**), and P < 0.001 (***), respectively, in comparison to the sham group (as indicated by black asterisks and “ns”) or the OVX group (as indicated by red asterisks). ns: not significant difference. Data are presented as mean ± the standard deviation (SD) of at least ten animals per group