Abstract |
Serotonin (5-HT) is known to play a role in the suppression of the lordosis response in males. We have previously shown that there is a sex difference in the density of 5-HT immunoreactive (5-HT-ir) fibers in the ventrolateral division of the adult ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMNvl) and that neonatal administration of estradiol (E2) increases 5-HT-ir in the female VMNvl to male-typical levels. Here we demonstrate that postnatal administration of the ERalpha agonist 1,3,5-tris(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-4-propyl-1H-pyrazole (PPT), but not the ERbeta agonist diarylpropionitrile ( DPN), also masculinizes 5-HT-ir in the female VMNvl, suggesting a mechanistic role for ERalpha in this process. Sexual receptivity, as ascertained by the lordosis quotient, was unaffected by either PPT or DPN treatment but nearly abolished by estradiol benzoate (EB), a synthetic estrogen with high affinity for both ERalpha and ERbeta. Collectively, these observations show that postnatal estrogens increase the density of 5-HT projections to the VMNvl via an ERalpha dependent mechanism, but that this increased inhibitory input is not sufficient to suppress the lordosis response.
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Authors | Heather B Patisaul, Heather B Adewale, Jillian A Mickens |
Journal | Behavioural brain research
(Behav Brain Res)
Vol. 196
Issue 2
Pg. 317-22
(Jan 23 2009)
ISSN: 1872-7549 [Electronic] Netherlands |
PMID | 18950659
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
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Chemical References |
- 2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
- Estrogen Receptor beta
- Nitriles
- Phenols
- Propionates
- Pyrazoles
- 4,4',4''-(4-propyl-((1)H)-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl) tris-phenol
- Serotonin
- Estradiol
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Topics |
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
(physiology)
- Estradiol
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Estrogen Receptor alpha
(agonists, physiology)
- Estrogen Receptor beta
(agonists)
- Female
- Male
- Neural Pathways
(physiology)
- Nitriles
(pharmacology)
- Phenols
(pharmacology)
- Propionates
(pharmacology)
- Pyrazoles
(pharmacology)
- Rats
- Serotonin
(physiology)
- Sex Characteristics
- Sexual Behavior, Animal
(physiology)
- Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus
(physiology)
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