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Neural sex steroids and hippocampal synaptic plasticity
N Brandt1, L Fester1, G M Rune1
1Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Vitamins and Hormones
|July 30, 2020
Summary
Sex steroids like testosterone and estradiol are synthesized within the hippocampus, impacting synaptic plasticity. Inhibiting their synthesis impairs long-term potentiation (LTP) and causes synapse loss in a sex-specific manner.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroendocrinology
- Synaptic Plasticity
Background:
- Traditionally, gonadal sex steroids were believed to control hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
- A paradigm shift occurred with the discovery of hippocampal synthesis of these steroids.
- This endogenous synthesis suggests a direct role for locally produced hormones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of endogenously synthesized sex steroids in hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
- To determine if hippocampal steroid synthesis is essential for maintaining synaptic function and structure.
- To explore the sex-specific effects of inhibiting hippocampal steroidogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Experiments conducted on gonadectomized animals and primary hippocampal cultures.
- Inhibition of estradiol synthesis in female subjects/cultures and dihydrotestosterone synthesis in male subjects/cultures.
- Assessment of synaptic plasticity through long-term potentiation (LTP) measurements and synapse loss evaluation.
Main Results:
- Inhibition of hippocampal estradiol synthesis impaired LTP and caused synapse loss in females.
- Inhibition of hippocampal dihydrotestosterone synthesis impaired LTP and caused synapse loss in males.
- These effects were specific to the inhibition of synthesis within the hippocampus.
Conclusions:
- Hippocampal neurons synthesize sex steroids that are crucial for synaptic plasticity and neuronal structure.
- This synthesis is essential for maintaining hippocampal function in a sex-specific manner.
- Findings suggest sex-specific neuronal differentiation during the perinatal period, influenced by local steroidogenesis.
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