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Distribution of progesterone receptor immunoreactivity in the midbrain and hindbrain of postnatal rats.
Quadros, Princy S; Schlueter, Lisa J; Wagner, Christine K.
Affiliation
  • Quadros PS; Department of Biological Sciences, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901, USA. psquadros@hotmail.com
Dev Neurobiol ; 68(12): 1378-90, 2008 Oct.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18712784
Nuclear steroid hormone receptors are powerful transcription factors and therefore have the potential to influence and regulate fundamental processes of neural development. The expression of progesterone receptors (PR) has been described in the developing forebrain of rats and mice, and the mammalian brain may be exposed to significant amounts of progesterone, either from maternal sources and/or de novo synthesis of progesterone from cholesterol within the brain. The present study examined the distribution of PR immunoreactive (PRir) cells within the midbrain and hindbrain of postnatal rats. The results demonstrate that PR is transiently expressed within the first 2 weeks of life in specific motor, sensory and reticular core nuclei as well as within midbrain dopaminergic cell groups such as the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area. Additionally, robust PRir was observed in cells of the lower rhombic lip, a transient structure giving rise to precerebellar nuclei. These results suggest that progestins and progesterone receptors may play a fundamental role in the postnatal development of numerous midbrain and hindbrain nuclei, including some areas implicated in human disorders. Additionally, these findings contribute to the increasing evidence that steroid hormones and their receptors influence neural development in a wide range of brain areas, including many not typically associated with reproduction or neuroendocrine function.
Subject(s)

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Rhombencephalon / Mesencephalon / Receptors, Progesterone Limits: Animals / Pregnancy Language: En Journal: Dev Neurobiol Journal subject: BIOLOGIA / NEUROLOGIA Year: 2008 Document type: Article Affiliation country: United States Country of publication: United States

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Rhombencephalon / Mesencephalon / Receptors, Progesterone Limits: Animals / Pregnancy Language: En Journal: Dev Neurobiol Journal subject: BIOLOGIA / NEUROLOGIA Year: 2008 Document type: Article Affiliation country: United States Country of publication: United States