Changes in estrogen-alpha receptor immunoreactivity during estrous cycling in lactating dairy cattle

• Published in: Brain research Vol. 880
• Main Authors: Eerdenburg, F.J.C.M., van, Daemen, I.J.J.M, Beek, E.M., van der, Leeuwen, F.W., van
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: 2000
• Subjects: Fysiologie van Mens en Dier; Human and Animal Physiology; Leerstoelgroep Fysiologie van mens en dier; WIAS
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240

Estradiol is one of the most important hormones in the regulation of estrous behavior, which is at a very low level of expression in the modern dairy cow. In the present study the neuroanatomical distribution of estrogen receptors of the -subtype (ER-) in the bovine hypothalamic area is determined with immunocytochemical methods, at various stages of the estrous cycle. During the luteal phase of the cycle, ER- immunoreactive cells were found in most of the nuclei that are known to express ER- immunoreactivity in other species, like the Bed nucleus of the Stria terminalis, Medial preoptic area, Ventromedial hypothalamus and Arcuate nucleus. During estrus and metestrus, however, no ER- immunoreactive cells could be detected in those areas, except for a few in the caudal Arcuate nucleus. The results from the present study indicate that there is a coherent regulation and timing of physiological and behavioral events around ovulation, in which estradiol and its receptor play a key role.