Estradiol binding in the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area of adult male ferrets and in the equivalent region of females.
A large number of estradiol-concentrating cells were visualized by autoradiography in a subpopulation of large neurons located in and around the sexually dimorphic male nucleus of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area (MN-POA/AH) of castrated male ferrets and in a comparable dorsal portion of the POA/AH of ovariectomized females. Considerably fewer estradiol-labelled cells were seen in the non-dimorphic ventral POA/AH nucleus of both sexes. Estrogen binding in cells in or around the MN-POA/AH may contribute to the formation of this sexually dimorphic nucleus in fetal males and may mediate specific estrogen-dependent behavioral functions in adulthood.
Tobet
S A
SA
Department of Biochemistry, E.K. Shriver Center, Waltham, MA 02254.
Baum
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D007025:Anterior Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001345:Autoradiography; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012737:Sex Factors
D004958:Estradiol