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Maternal estrogen receptor-beta expression during mouse gestation
C Y Spong1, S K McCune, E M Sternberg
1Section on Developmental and Molecular Pharmacology, LDN, NICHD, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. spongc@exchange.nih.gov
Problem:
Although estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha has been well characterized, the recently identified novel ER-beta has not. In some tissues, there is overlap of the ERs, which allows for rescue in cases of deficiency; in other tissues, the ERs appear to have opposite effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of ER-beta during pregnancy.
Method Of Study:
Pregnant mouse uteri (embryonic days 6-14, 16, 18) were studied. ER-alpha and ER-beta oligonucleotide probes were end-labeled and in situ hybridization histochemistry was performed.
Results:
ER-beta was strongly expressed in maternal ovaries; there was no other evidence of strong expression during gestation. ER-alpha was expressed in the uterus throughout gestation, with decreasing intensity as gestation progressed, and in maternal ovarian tissue.
Conclusions:
Differential expression of the two ERs was apparent during pregnancy, with ER-alpha playing a dominant role. This may have implications for selective drug treatment targeting estrogen receptors.
