Neuroestrogen, rapid action of estradiol, and GnRH neurons

作者：Terasawa Ei^*; Kenealy Brian P

来源：Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 2012, 33(4): 364-375.

DOI：10.1016/j.yfrne.2012.08.001

• GnRH neurons
• Rapid action of estradiol
• GPR30
• GnRH surge
• GnRH pulses
• Neuroestrogen
• Membrane estrogen receptors

Estradiol plays a pivotal role in the control of GnRH neuronal function, hence female reproduction. A series of recent studies in our laboratory indicate that rapid excitatory actions of estradiol directly modify GnRH neuronal activity in primate GnRH neurons through GPR30 and STX-sensitive receptors. Similar rapid direct actions of estradiol through estrogen receptor beta are also described in mouse GnRH neurons. In this review, we propose two novel hypotheses as a possible physiological role of estradiol in primates. First, while ovarian estradiol initiates the preovulatory GnRH surge through interneurons expressing estrogen receptor alpha, rapid direct membrane-initiated action of estradiol may play a role in sustaining GnRH surge release for many hours. Second, locally produced neuroestrogens may contribute to pulsatile GnRH release. Either way, estradiol synthesized in interneurons in the hypothalamus may play a significant role in the control of the GnRH surge and/or pulsatility of GnRH release.

• 出版日期2012-10