Electrophysiological evidence for a rapid membrane action of the gonadal steroid, 17 beta-estradiol, on CA1 pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus.
The rapid electrophysiological effects of 17 beta-estradiol on CA1 pyramidal neurons (n = 86) were investigated utilizing intracellular recording from the rat hippocampal slice preparation. Bath application of 17 beta-estradiol, but not 17 alpha-estradiol, caused a reversible depolarization and increased input resistance with a latency of less than 1 min in 19.8% of CA1 neurons tested. There was no significant difference in the percentage of estradiol-responsive cells between male and female rats. Estradiol-responsive cells were identified from prepubertal female rats, as well as females in all stages of the estrous cycle. 17 beta-estradiol had no effect on the slow afterhyperpolarization or accommodative properties of CA1 neurons. In 2 out of 4 cells tested, the specific antiestrogen, tamoxifen, blocked the excitatory response to 17 beta-estradiol.
Wong
M
M
Department of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235.
Moss
R L
RL
D000818:Animals; D004031:Diestrus / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011359:Proestrus / Q000502:physiology; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology
D013629:Tamoxifen; D004958:Estradiol