Oestrogen receptor expression and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the clitoris and preputial gland structures of mice.
OBJECTIVE
To study the presence of oestrogen receptors (ER) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the mouse clitoris.


METHODS
A series of sections of the pelvic area, including the preputial glands and clitoris, of 10 mice were assessed by immunocytochemical studies specific for ER-alpha and -beta, and nNOS; selected sections were also stained with Masson's trichrome.


RESULTS
ER alpha was detected in the epithelium of the gland of the clitoris, and in the glandular tissue, preputial and apocrine gland. ER alpha was detected in the nuclei of stromal cells around the cavernous tissue and near the epithelium of the clitoris. Cytoplasm ER alpha was detected in a few cells in an area ventral to the clitoral gland. There was also nuclear staining in the connective tissue cells surrounding the clitoris. Very light ER beta immunostaining was detected in the clitoris and in the tissue related to it. There were some cells with nuclear staining in the vessels of the cavernous tissue of the clitoris. nNOS immunostaining was detected in the clitoris, the preputial gland and the connective tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
ER alpha and beta isoforms, and nNOS, are present in the clitoris and preputial glands of female mice in different cellular locations and with differing levels of receptivity. Functional studies would further elucidate the role of receptor functions and their relationship to the neuronal expression of NO.
Martin-Alguacil
Nieves
N
Department of Neurobiology and Behaviour, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
Schober
Justine
J
Kow
Lee-Ming
LM
Pfaff
Donald
D
D000818:Animals; D002987:Clitoris / Q000378:metabolism*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000378:metabolism*
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I