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Sex hormone binding globulin in the rat olfactory system
V Ploss1, V M Gebhart1, W Dölz1
1Department of Anatomy II, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany.
Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy
|April 1, 2014
Summary
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is present in the rat olfactory system, including the vomeronasal organ. This suggests SHBG may mediate rapid steroid hormone effects on the limbic system and reproductive behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Olfactory System Research
Background:
- Ovarian steroids influence the olfactory system, but their mechanism is unclear due to a lack of nuclear receptors in sensory neurons.
- Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a key steroid-binding protein, but its role in the olfactory system is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and distribution of SHBG within the rat olfactory system.
- To explore the potential role of SHBG in mediating olfactory steroid actions.
Main Methods:
- Immunocytochemistry and double immunofluorescence were used to detect SHBG protein.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to identify SHBG mRNA.
Main Results:
- SHBG was detected in sensory neurons of the olfactory mucosa and vomeronasal organ (VNO), and their projections in the olfactory bulb.
- SHBG-positive nerve fibers were observed in the accessory olfactory bulb glomeruli, and some mitral cells showed SHBG.
- RT-PCR confirmed the presence of SHBG mRNA in the olfactory mucosa, VNO, and olfactory bulbs, indicating intrinsic expression.
Conclusions:
- SHBG is intrinsically expressed in the rat olfactory system, including the VNO.
- SHBG may play a functional role in the rapid effects of olfactory steroids on limbic functions.
- This mechanism could be involved in pheromone-mediated control of reproductive behaviors.
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