title: Neuroestrogen, rapid action of estradiol, and GnRH neurons.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715, United States. terasawa@primate.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Ei
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Terasawa
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Kenealy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004958:Estradiol