Quantitative Analysis of Long-Form Aromatase mRNA in the Male and Female Rat Brain
نویسندگان
چکیده
In vitro studies show that estrogens acutely modulate synaptic function in both sexes. These acute effects may be mediated in vivo by estrogens synthesized within the brain, which could fluctuate more rapidly than circulating estrogens. For this to be the case, brain regions that respond acutely to estrogens should be capable of synthesizing them. To investigate this question, we used quantitative real-time PCR to measure expression of mRNA for the estrogen-synthesizing enzyme, aromatase, in different brain regions of male and female rats. Importantly, because brain aromatase exists in two forms, a long form with aromatase activity and a short form with unknown function, we targeted a sequence found exclusively in long-form aromatase. With this approach, we found highest expression of aromatase mRNA in the amygdala followed closely by the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and preoptic area (POA); we found moderate levels of aromatase mRNA in the dorsal hippocampus and cingulate cortex; and aromatase mRNA was detectable in brainstem and cerebellum, but levels were very low. In the amygdala, gonadal/hormonal status regulated aromatase expression in both sexes; in the BNST and POA, castration of males down-regulated aromatase, whereas there was no effect of estradiol in ovariectomized females. In the dorsal hippocampus and cingulate cortex, there were no differences in aromatase levels between males and females or effects of gonadal/hormonal status. These findings demonstrate that long-form aromatase is expressed in brain regions that respond acutely to estrogens, such as the dorsal hippocampus, and that gonadal/hormonal regulation of aromatase differs among different brain regions.
منابع مشابه
The Effects of Exercise on Expression of CYP19 and StAR mRNA in Steroid-Induced Polycystic Ovaries of Female Rats
Objective PCOS is the most frequent female endocrine disorder, affecting 5%-10% of women, is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo-/anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. The aim of the present research is to evaluate the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and CYP19 (aromatase) mRNA in the ovary of EV-induced PCOS rat model and the effect of the treadmill and running w...
متن کاملOrexin Decreases Aromatase Gene Expression in The Hypothalamus of Androgenized Female Rats
Objective Orexin is a hypothalamic orexigenic neuropeptide, which third cerebral injection of it mainly exerts inhibitory effects on reproductive functions. It increases significantly the Aromatase (Cyp19) gene expression in the hypothalamus of male rats. Aromatase is an enzyme which converts androgens to estradiol in the hypothalamus of rats. Prenatal or neonatal exposure of females to testost...
متن کاملMorphine and kisspeptin influences on 5-α reductase and aromatase gene expression in adult male rats
Objective(s): Kisspeptin and opioids are important factors for controlling GnRH/LH secretion. In present study, influences of kisspeptin or morphine were investigated on 5α- reductase or aromatase (CYP19) genes expression in the hypothalamus, testis and liver. It aimed to investigate whether kisspeptin pathway may control morphine effects on plasma concentration of tes...
متن کاملثر رژیم غذایی و کاهش وزن بر بیان سیکلیک ژن گرلین، رسپتور گرلین، آروماتاز و StAR در تخمدان موش های صحرایی
Background and purpose: Ghrelin secreted mainly by stomach in food restriction. This neuropeptide is also expressed in ovary. Although effect of weight loss on reproductive system is obvious but the mechanism of this effect is not fully understood. The aim of this study was investigating the effect of minus energy balance on ghrelin, ghrelin receptor, aromatase, and StAR gene expression in diff...
متن کاملEffects of ghrelin and orexin A on aromatase gene expression in the ovaries of female rats androgenized in third day of birth
Introduction: Ghrelin and Orexin A exert inhibitory effects on gonadotropins secretion. Aromatase is a key enzyme in the steroidogenesis pathway which converts testosterone to the estradiol. Treatment of neonatal female rats with testosterone propionate (TP) alters gonadotropin secretion patterns in the adulthood. In the present study the effects of central injection of ghrelin or orexin A o...
متن کامل