Estrogen increases spine density in ventromedial hypothalamic neurons of peripubertal rats.
Enviado por Annabell Segarra el
Título | Estrogen increases spine density in ventromedial hypothalamic neurons of peripubertal rats. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1991 |
Autores | Segarra, AC, McEwen, BS |
Journal | Neuroendocrinology |
Volume | 54 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 365-72 |
Date Published | 1991 Oct |
ISSN | 0028-3835 |
Palabras clave | Aging, Animals, Dendrites, Estradiol, Gonads, Hypothalamus, Middle, Neurons, Rats, Rats, Inbred Strains, Sex Characteristics, Sexual Maturation |
Abstract | Using the single-section Golgi impregnation technique, sex differences in hypothalamic ventromedial (VMN) neurons of gonadectomized juvenile and peripubertal rats were assessed. The effect of estrogen treatment on VMN neurons was also investigated. Juvenile rats were gonadectomized at 16 days of age and peripubertal rats at 36 days. At 5 days after surgery, the rats were injected with estradiol benzoate (20 micrograms/kg) or sesame oil for 2 days after which they were perfused and the brains processed for Golgi impregnation. Estradiol benzoate treatment significantly increased dendritic and soma spine density in juvenile and peripubertal male and female rats. A sex difference was observed in oil- and in estradiol-treated rats, with females exhibiting higher dendritic spine density and a greater response to estrogen priming. Moreover, dendritic and soma spine density was significantly higher in juvenile versus peripubertal rats. It is possible that the sex difference observed in dendritic and soma spine density and in the response to estradiol benzoate treatment is due to an organizational effect of sex steroids. |
Alternate Journal | Neuroendocrinology |
PubMed ID | 1758578 |
Grant List | 1 F34GM13001 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States NS07080 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States |