LOCALIZATION OF ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR PROTEIN AND ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR MESSENGER-RNA IN PERIPHERAL AUTONOMIC AND SENSORY NEURONS

The presence of estrogen receptor protein and estrogen receptor messen ger RNA was revealed in peripheral ganglionic neurons of the rat. The pelvic parasympathetic autonomic ganglion and lumbosacral dorsal root sensory ganglia were examined for estrogen receptor-containing neurons because they have known projections to the uterus and uterine cervix. The vagal nodose ganglia were studied for estrogen receptor-containin g neurons because they are suspected sources of influence on the uteru s. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization histochemistry and retr ograde tracing were utilized. Immunoreactivity for estrogen receptors was evident in the nuclei of a subpopulation of neurons in the pelvic ganglia, sixth lumbar and first sacral dorsal root ganglia and nodose ganglia. Some estrogen receptor-positive neurons also contained the re trograde tracer FluoroGold that previously had been injected into the uterus and uterine cervix. Estrogen receptor messenger RNA was also ev ident in a subpopulation of ganglionic neurons. These data suggest tha t a certain population of neurons in autonomic and sensory ganglia are capable of synthesizing estrogen receptors and these receptors can se rve as binding sites for estrogen. Thus, certain aspects of the struct ure, function and neurochemistry of some autonomic and sensory neurons may be influenced by the sex steroid estrogen. (C) 1997 IBRO. Publish ed by Elsevier Science Ltd.