Estrogen involvement in social behavior in rodents: Rapid and long-term actions

Ervin, Kelsy S.J.; Lymer, Jennifer; Matta, Richard; Clipperton-Allen, Amy E.; Kavaliers, Martin; Choleris, Elena

doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.05.023

Cited by 120 publications

(130 citation statements)

References 323 publications

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“…Exogenous estrogens have long been known to regulate many types of learning and memory mediated by the hippocampus and other brain regions (see (Bean et al, 2015; Daniel et al, 2015; Duarte-Guterman et al, 2015; Ervin et al, 2015; Foster, 2012; Frick, 2015; Frick et al, 2015; Korol and Pisani, 2015; Luine, 2014) for recent reviews). The current findings provide novel insight into the functional role of brain-derived estrogens on learning and memory in rodents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inhibition of local estrogen synthesis in the hippocampus impairs hippocampal memory consolidation in ovariectomized female mice

Tuscher

Szinte

Starrett

et al. 2016

Hormones and Behavior

111

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The potent estrogen 17β-Estradiol (E2) plays a critical role in mediating hippocampal function, yet the precise mechanisms through which E2 enhances hippocampal memory remain unclear. In young adult female rodents, the beneficial effects of E2 on memory are generally attributed to ovarian-synthesized E2. However, E2 is also synthesized in the adult brain in numerous species, where it regulates synaptic plasticity and is synthesized in response to experiences such as exposure to females or conspecific song. Although de novo E2 synthesis has been demonstrated in rodent hippocampal cultures, little is known about the functional role of local E2 synthesis in mediating hippocampal memory function. Therefore, the present study examined the role of hippocampal E2 synthesis in hippocampal memory consolidation. Using bilateral dorsal hippocampal infusions of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole, we first found that blockade of dorsal hippocampal E2 synthesis impaired hippocampal memory consolidation. We next found that elevated levels of E2 in dorsal hippocampus observed 30 min after object training were blocked by dorsal hippocampal infusion of letrozole, suggesting that behavioral experience increases acute and local E2 synthesis. Finally, aromatase inhibition did not prevent exogenous E2 from enhancing hippocampal memory consolidation, indicating that hippocampal E2 synthesis is not necessary for exogenous E2 to enhance hippocampal memory. Combined, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that hippocampally-synthesized E2 is necessary for hippocampus-dependent memory consolidation in rodents.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inhibition of local estrogen synthesis in the hippocampus impairs hippocampal memory consolidation in ovariectomized female mice

Tuscher

Szinte

Starrett

et al. 2016

Hormones and Behavior

111

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Studies in which systemic treatments of 17β-estradiol were given to ovariectomized mice have shown very rapid facilitation of various learning tasks including social recognition, object recognition, object placement and the social transmission of food preferences (Ervin et al, 2015; Phan et al, 2012). In these studies by the Choleris laboratory, mice were administered 17β-estradiol 15 min before a learning task, which was completed by 40 min post-treatment.…”

Section: Rapid Action Of Estrogens and Their Receptors: Implicatiomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, both task acquisition and testing were completed within a timeframe that makes genomic effects of estrogens unlikely, and rather points towards rapid non-genomic mechanisms. Using systemic treatments with ER selective agonists, various investigations showed that ERα and GPER predominantly mediate these rapid effects of estrogens (Phan et al, 2011; Gabor, Lymer et al, 2015; Ervin et al, 2015). However, differences in specific ER-involvement in these tasks were also found.…”

Section: Rapid Action Of Estrogens and Their Receptors: Implicatiomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The GPER agonist G1 rapidly enhanced social learning, while ERα agonist PPT and ERβ agonist DPN did not. Rather, the ERα agonist shortened a socially learned food preference (Ervin et al, 2015). The different and somewhat opposing effects of GPER and ERα agonists may explain why treatment with the GPER agonist resulted in a socially acquired food preference of longer duration than treatment with 17β-estradiol itself, which activates all ERs (Ervin et al, 2015).…”

Section: Rapid Action Of Estrogens and Their Receptors: Implicatiomentioning

confidence: 99%

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Why estrogens matter for behavior and brain health

Galea

Frick

Hampson

et al. 2017

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Self Cite

142

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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has required the inclusion of women in clinical studies since 1993, which has enhanced our understanding of how biological sex affects certain medical conditions and allowed the development of sex-specific treatment protocols. However, NIH’s policy did not previously apply to basic research and the NIH recently introduced a new policy requiring all new grant applications to explicitly address sex as a biological variable. The policy itself is grounded in the results of numerous investigations in animals and humans illustrating the existence of sex differences in the brain and behavior, and the importance of sex hormones, particularly estrogens, in regulating physiology and behavior. Here, we review findings from our laboratories and others, demonstrating how estrogens influence brain and behavior in adult females. Research from subjects throughout the adult lifespan on topics ranging from social behavior, learning and memory, to disease risk will be discussed to frame an understanding of why estrogens matter to behavioral neuroscience.

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“…For decades, steroid hormones have been known to induce acute changes (within minutes) in the physiological functions [21], neuronal activity [22], and behavior [23].…”

Section: Non-genomic Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of the Effects of Sex Hormones on the Nervous System

Delchev¹,

Georgieva²

2018

Sex Hormones in Neurodegenerative Processes and Diseases

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The mechanisms of the action of sex steroid hormones on the nervous system are related to both classical, intracellularly mediated effects and non-classical membrane effects due to binding to membrane receptors. Some steroids are capable of inducing rapid neurotransmitter-like effects, similar to those of dopamine or glutamate that alter the activity of neuronal systems via different types of receptors. The neuroactive steroids are endogenous neuromodulators synthesized in the brain and rapidly affecting neuronal excitability. Sex steroids exert many pleiotropic effects in the nervous system: they modulate main neurotransmitter systems, promote the viability of neurons, play an important role in myelination, and influence cognitive processes. Estradiol protects neurons from excitotoxic damage and increases neuronal survival. Progesterone stimulates neurological and functional recovery. Androgens also exhibit a wide array of neuroprotective effects in motoneurons, including supporting cell survival, axonal regeneration, and dendritic maintenance. Despite the considerable increase of sex hormones and neurosteroids research in recent years and the ongoing discovery of biochemical mechanisms of action, their role in neurodegenerative processes remains not well determined.

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Estrogen involvement in social behavior in rodents: Rapid and long-term actions

Cited by 120 publications

References 323 publications

Inhibition of local estrogen synthesis in the hippocampus impairs hippocampal memory consolidation in ovariectomized female mice

Inhibition of local estrogen synthesis in the hippocampus impairs hippocampal memory consolidation in ovariectomized female mice

Why estrogens matter for behavior and brain health

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of the Effects of Sex Hormones on the Nervous System

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