Ri. Wood et Sw. Newman, ANDROGEN AND ESTROGEN-RECEPTORS COEXIST WITHIN INDIVIDUAL NEURONS IN THE BRAIN OF THE SYRIAN-HAMSTER, Neuroendocrinology, 62(5), 1995, pp. 487-497
Many aspects of reproductive neuroendocrine function and sexual behavi
or are responsive to both androgens and estrogens, suggesting that rec
eptors for these steroid hormones may reside within single cells in br
ain regions that control reproductive function. We determined the dist
ribution of estrogen receptor-containing neurons in 40-mu m coronal br
ain sections in gonadectomized, DHT-treated male Syrian hamsters using
immunocytochemistry with the H222 antibody (10 mu g/ml; Abbott Labora
tories). Subsequently, we colocalized estrogen receptors with androgen
receptors using the PG-21 antibody (0.5 mu g/ml; G.S. Prins). In male
s, the distribution of estrogen receptor-containing neurons was simila
r to that reported previously for the female hamster. Colocalization o
f androgen and estrogen receptor immunoreactivity was observed in brai
n regions that contain numerous androgen and estrogen receptor-positiv
e neurons, including subdivisions of the medial preoptic area, bed nuc
leus of the stria terminalis, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus
, and the amygdalohippocampal area. Single-labelled estrogen receptor-
containing neurons were most numerous in the amygdalohippocampal area
and the rostral medial preoptic nucleus; androgen receptor-immunoreact
ive cells were most abundant in the ventral premammillary nucleus and
the lateral septum. These data suggest the potential of androgens and
estrogens to influence neuronal function within individual steroid rec
eptor-containing neurons of the hamster limbic system.