Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi (Apr 2013)
Interrelation of aromatase, estrogen receptor alpha and progesterone receptor in the developing mouse fetal brain
Abstract
Purpose: Aromatase (Cyp19a1) is crucial for the sexually dimorphic development of the fetal brain, regulation of gonadotropin secretion and sexual interest in adults. Our goal is to determine the developmental mRNA expression patterns of aromatase, estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) and progesterone receptor (Pgr) in the fetal mouse brain at different times of gestation. Methods: Female mice were mated with fertile males and checked for vaginal plug the next day to confirm successful mating (vaginal plug=day 1 of pregnancy). At gestational days 9-12-15-17-19-21 pregnant mice were sacrificed and fetal brains were removed and mRNAs were isolated and reverse transcribed into cDNAs. In order to evaluate mRNA expression levels, real time PCR was performed employing primers for Cyp19a1, Esr1 and Pgr genes. Results: In our studies, Esr1 and Pgr mRNA expression levels peaked at day 9 and returned to normal adult levels at around day 17-18. Cyp19a1 mRNA expression peaked at day 14-16 along with a drastic decrease in Esr1 and Pgr mRNA expression levels and then returned to normal adult levels around the time of delivery. Conclusion: Cyp19a1 expression in the fetal brain launches around gestational day 11-12 and peaks around gestational day 14-16 and fall back to normal adult levels at around gestational day 19-20. It has been recently reported that Esr1 and Pgr both mediate Cyp19a1 mRNA expression in the mouse brain. Together with these previous reports, our findings may imply that both Esr1 and Pgr possibly play a role in the developmental regulation of aromatase in the fetal mouse brain. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(2.000): 174-180]
