Estrogen receptor beta is the predominant isoform expressed in the brain of adult and fetal sheep

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the expression of est rogen receptors alpha and beta in the cerebral cortex of the adult and feta l sheep. STUDY DESIGN: A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction-based appro ach was used to examine the expression of ovine estrogen receptor a and est rogen receptor beta in the cerebral cortex of 4 adult and 2 fetal sheep. RESULTS: Estrogen receptor beta was expressed in the 4 adult and 2 fetal br ain samples. Estrogen receptor alpha expression was seen in only 1 adult br ain and 1 fetal brain. CONCLUSION: Estrogen receptor beta is the predominant isoform expressed in the cerebral cortex of both adult and fetal sheep. These data may have impl ications for the many important actions of estrogen in the adult and develo ping ovine brain.