Effects of age and sex on the expression of estrogen receptor α and β in the mouse inner ear

Abstract

ERalpha and ERbeta were co-expressed in the inner ear, i.e. in the nuclei of stria vascularis, outer and inner hair cells, spiral ganglion cells and vestibular ganglion cells, vestibular dark cells and endolymphatic sac. Strial marginal cells, outer hair cells and type II ganglion cells showed less expression of ERalpha. No gender- or age-related difference was noted in the expression pattern of ERalpha or ERbeta, but fluorescence intensity of ERalpha was stronger in young female mice than in young male mice. In contrast, ERbeta revealed no significant difference. In the old mice, fluorescence intensities of both ERalpha and ERbeta were significantly decreased in both sexes.

Estrogenic modulation of auditory processing: A vertebrate comparison

“…For example, the intensity of ER immunostaining is reduced in the cochleae of aged male and female mice, compared to younger adults (Motohashi et al, 2010). Similarly, Charitidi and colleagues found that the distribution pattern of ERα and ERβ in the mouse ascending auditory pathway changed as a function of age for both males and females (Charitdi and Canlon, 2010; Charitidi et al, 2010).…”

Preliminary Report on the Investigation of the Association Between BPPV and Osteoporosis Using Biomarkers

“…Given that our study subjects were postmenopausal women, estrogen depletion could conveniently account for the association of BPPV and osteoporosis. Estrogen receptors have been reported in the cochlea, utricle, and ampulla of the inner ear of rodents (31,32), thus providing a possible substrate for this relationship. Although BPPV becomes more prevalent with age, it does occur across the lifespan, and about one-third of BPPV patients are male.…”

Sex Hormones and Inner Ear

“…Also, the expression of ERs decreased with age. In the old mice, the fluorescence intensities of ERs were significantly decreased in both male and female [9].…”

“…But in adult human inner ear, ERα-containing cells were only found in the spiral ganglion, and ERβ-containing cells in the stria vascularis selectively, which are important for hearing transmission and inner ear homeostasis [8]. It has been shown that there is less expression of ERα in strial marginal cells, outer hair cells, and type II ganglion cells [9]. ERα and ERβ are regulated depending on the stage of maturation, development, and pregnancy, suggesting that estrogen may have an effect on the cochlea during different life time.…”