Article (Scientific journals)
Presence of aromatase and estrogen receptor alpha in the inner ear of zebra finches.
Noirot, Isabelle; Adler, Henry J; Cornil, Charlotte et al.
2009In Hearing Research
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Abstract :
[en] Sex differences in song behavior and in the neural system controlling song in songbirds are well documented but relatively little is known about sex differences in hearing. We recently demonstrated the existence of sex differences in auditory brainstem responses in a songbird species, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Many sex differences are regulated by sex steroid hormone action either during ontogeny or in adulthood. As a first step to test the possible implication of sex steroids in the control of sex differences in the zebra finch auditory system, we evaluated via immunocytochemistry whether estrogens are produced and act in the zebra finch inner ear. Specifically we examined the distribution of aromatase, the enzyme converting testosterone into an estrogen, and of estrogen receptors of the alpha subtype (ERalpha) in adult zebra finch inner ears. The anatomy of the basilar papillae was visualized by fluorescein-phalloidin, which delineated the actin structure of hair cells and supporting cells at their apical surface. Whole mount preparations of basilar papillae stained by immunocytochemistry revealed in both males and females an abundant aromatase distribution in the cytoplasm of hair cells, while ERalpha was identified in the nuclei of hair cells and of underlying supporting cells. Double labeled preparations confirmed the extensive co-localization of aromatase and ERalpha in the vast majority of the hair cells. These results are consistent with studies on non-avian species, suggesting a role for estrogens in auditory function. These findings are also consistent with the notion that estrogens may contribute to a sex difference in hearing. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the presence of aromatase and of the co-localization of aromatase and ERalpha in the sensory epithelium of the inner ear in any animal model.
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior
Anatomy (cytology, histology, embryology...) & physiology
Author, co-author :
Noirot, Isabelle ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Doct. sc. (biol. orga. & écol. - Bologne)
Adler, Henry J
Cornil, Charlotte  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Biologie de la différenciation sexuelle du cerveau
Harada, Nobuhiro
Dooling, Robert J
Balthazart, Jacques  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Biologie de la différenciation sexuelle du cerveau
Ball, Gregory F
Language :
English
Title :
Presence of aromatase and estrogen receptor alpha in the inner ear of zebra finches.
Publication date :
2009
Journal title :
Hearing Research
ISSN :
0378-5955
eISSN :
1878-5891
Publisher :
Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 08 May 2009

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