Estrogen-receptor-β distribution in the human hypothalamus: Similarities and differences with ERα distribution

• Published in: Journal of comparative neurology (1911) Vol. 466; no. 2; pp. 251 - 277
• Main Authors: Kruijver, Frank P.M., Balesar, Rawien, Espila, Ana M., Unmehopa, Unga A., Swaab, Dick F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 10.11.2003
• Subjects: Adult; Alzheimer's disease; Estrogen Receptor beta; estrogen receptor-α immunoreactivity (ERα-ir); estrogen receptor-β immunoreactivity (ERβ-ir); Female; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; human hypothalamus; Humans; Hypothalamus - chemistry; Hypothalamus - metabolism; Male; neuroprotection; Receptors, Estrogen - analysis; Receptors, Estrogen - biosynthesis; Sex Characteristics; sex differences; sexual orientation; Statistics, Nonparametric; transsexuality
• ISSN: 0021-9967; 1096-9861
• DOI: 10.1002/cne.10899

This study reports the first systematic rostrocaudal distribution of estrogen receptor beta immunoreactivity (ERβ‐ir) in the human hypothalamus and adjacent areas in five males and five females between 20–39 years of age and compares its distribution to previously reported ERα in the same patients. ERβ‐ir was generally observed more frequently in the cytoplasm than in the nucleus and appeared to be stronger in women. Basket‐like fiber stainings, suggestive for ERβ‐ir in synaptic terminals, were additionally observed in various areas. Men showed more robust nuclear ERβ‐ir than women in the medial part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, paraventricular and paratenial nucleus of the thalamus, while less intense, but more nuclear, ERβ‐ir appeared to be present in, e.g., the BSTc, sexually dimorphic nucleus of the medial preoptic area, diagonal band of Broca and ventromedial nucleus. Women revealed more nuclear ERβ‐ir than men of a low to intermediate level, e.g., in the suprachiasmatic, supraoptic, paraventricular, infundibular, and medial mamillary nucleus. These data indicate potential sex differences in ERβ expression. ERβ‐ir expression patterns in subjects with abnormal hormone levels suggests that there may be sex differences in ERβ‐ir that are “activational” rather than “organizational” in nature. Similarities, differences, potential functional, and clinical implications of the observed ERα and ERβ distributions are discussed in relation to reproduction, autonomic‐function, mood, cognition, and neuroprotection in health and disease. J. Comp. Neurol. 466:251–277, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.