DEVELOPMENTAL EXPRESSION OF CALRETININ IN THE MEDIAL BASAL HYPOTHALAMUS AND AMYGDALA FROM MALE AND FEMALE RATS

Developmental expression of calretinin in the medial basal hypothalami c (MBH) and amygdala region was examined by Western analysis. Males di splayed significantly higher calretinin levels compared to females in the MBH (but not the amygdala) on gestational day 19 and 20. These dat a imply that hormonal factors may regulate developmental MBH calretini n expression. In turn, sexually dimorphic brain structures might be in fluenced by calretinin levels that can alter sexually dimorphic patter ns of steroidogenesis, cellular migration or programmed cell loss mech anism(s) during neuronal development by modulating intracellular calci um concentrations. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.