Diverse Actions of Ovarian Steroids in the Serotonin Neural System

doi:10.1006/frne.2001.0225

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

Volume 23, Issue 1, January 2002, Pages 41-100

https://doi.org/10.1006/frne.2001.0225 Get rights and content

Abstract

All of the serotonin-producing neurons of the mammalian brain are located in 10 nuclei in the mid- and hindbrain regions. The cells of the rostal nuclei project to almost every area of the forebrain and regulate diverse neural processes from higher order functions in the prefrontal cortex such as integrative cognition and memory, to limbic system control of arousal and mood, to diencephalic functions such as pituitary hormone secretion, satiety, and sexual behavior. The more caudal serotonin neurons project to the spinal cord and interact with numerous autonomic and sensory systems. All of these neural functions are sensitive to the presence or absence of the ovarian hormones, estrogen and progesterone. We have shown that serotonin neurons in nonhuman primates contain estrogen receptor β and progestin receptors. Thus, they are targets for ovarian steroids which in turn modify gene expression. Any change in serotoninergic neural function could be manifested by a change in any of the projection target systems and in this manner, serotonin neurons integrate steroid hormone information and partially transduce their action in the CNS. This article reviews the work conducted in this laboratory on the actions of estrogens and progestins in the serotonin neural system of nonhuman primates. Comparisons to results obtained in other laboratory animal models are made when available and limited clinical data are referenced. The ability of estrogens and progestins to alter the function of the serotonin neural system at various levels provides a cellular mechanism whereby ovarian hormones can impact cognition, mood or arousal, hormone secretion, pain, and other neural circuits.

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^☆: This study was supported by NIH Grant MH62677 to C.L.B., U54 Contraceptive Center Grant HD18185, and RR00163 for the operation of ORPRC.

¹: To whom correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed at Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Ave., Beaverton, OR 97006. Fax: 503-690-5384. E-mail: [email protected].

²: Current address: Department of Atherosclerosis and Endocrinology, Merck & Co., Rahway, NJ 07065.

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Regular ArticleDiverse Actions of Ovarian Steroids in the Serotonin Neural System☆

Abstract

Biochem Pharmacol

Brain Res

Eur J Pharmacol

Brain Res

Ann Epidemiol

Neuropsychopharmacology

Eur J Pharmacol

J Biol Chem

Biol Psychiatry

Life Sci

Psychoneuroendocrinology

Neurosci Lett

Curr Opin Neurobiol

Biol Psychiatry

Neuroscience

Neuropharmacology

Biol Psychiatry

Neuropharmacologist

Brain Res

Psychoneuroendocrinology

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol

Brain Res

Mol Cell Endocrinol

Eur J Pharmacol

Brain Res

Brain Res Bull

Nucl Med Biol

Neuroscience

Neuropharmacology

Maturitas

Brain Res

J Affect Disord

Horm Behav

Neuropsychopharmacology

Brain Res

Brain Res

Psychiatry Res

Brain Res

Brain Res

Biochem Biophys Res Commun

Brain Res Bull

Horm Behav

17β-Estradiol rapidly decreases 5-HT1A receptor function in rat hippocampus in vitro: Role of estrogen receptor

Soc Neurosci

Estrogen-regulated progestin receptors are found in the midbrain raphe but not hippocampus of estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) gene-disrupted mice

J Comp Neurol

Estradiol regulation of 5HT neurons in the dorsal raphe of the rat differs from the monkey: An analysis of tryptophan hydroxylase mRNA levels

Soc Neurosci

Immunocytochemical localization of nuclear estrogen receptors and progestin receptors within the rat dorsal raphe nucleus

J Comp Neurol

Phenotypic identification of ovarian steroid target cells in the rodent dorsal raphe and central gray

Soc Neurosci

Pubertal changes in hormone levels and depression in girls

Psychol Med

Variability in the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene is associated with seasonal pattern in major depression

Mol Psychiatry

Regular Article
Diverse Actions of Ovarian Steroids in the Serotonin Neural System☆