Re. Papka et al., LOCALIZATION OF ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR PROTEIN AND ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR MESSENGER-RNA IN PERIPHERAL AUTONOMIC AND SENSORY NEURONS, Neuroscience, 79(4), 1997, pp. 1153-1163
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.