Neural pathway of estrogen receptor a expression during stress-induced suppression of luteinizing hormone secretion

Issue Date

6-2009

Abstract

This review article describes the role and regulatory mechanism of estrogen receptor a (ERa) expression in specific brain areas to give further insights on the brain mechanism of estrogen-enhancement of suppression of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion by certain stressors in female rats. It shows that, (1) certain metabolic i.e. fasting, 2DG-induced glucoprivation, and physical (immobilization) stress induced an increase in ERa expression in specific hypothalamic and brainstem areas, (2) the increased number of ERa in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and A1 and/or A 2 brainstem region(s) during fasting and glucoprivation is required for estrogen potentiation of LH suppression by these stressors, (3) vagal input is needed for the induction of ERa expression in the brainstem A2 region that may trigger the neural pathway of LH suppression during fasting, (4) brainstem A, and/or A2 catecholaminergic inputs to the PVN stimulates the increase in ERa in the PVN during glucoprivation and fasting, respectively, so that estrogen can enhance the sensitivity of the PVN corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons to the catecholaminergic stimulus needed for the suppression of LH secretion, (5) activation of the A2 catecholaminergic input to the PVN is a common pathway utilized by certain metabolic and physical stressors for the induction of neural ERa expression and suppression of pulsatile LH secretion.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine

ISSN

317705

Volume

46

Issue

1

Page

61-72

Document Type

Article

College

College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Language

English

Subject

Estrogen, Estrogen receptor, Fasting, Glucoprivation, Stress

Digital Copy

None

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