Sex differences in expression of oestrogen receptor α but not androgen receptor mRNAs in the foetal lamb brain.

ABSTRACT: Gonadal steroid hormones play important roles during critical periods of development to organise brain structures that control sexually dimorphic neuroendocrine responses and behaviours. Specific receptors for androgens and oestrogens must be expressed at appropriate times during development to mediate these processes. The present study was performed to test for sex differences in the relative expression of oestrogen receptor (ER)α and androgen receptor (AR) mRNA during the window of time in gestation that is critical for behavioural masculinisation and differentiation of the ovine sexually dimorphic nucleus (oSDN) in the sheep. In addition, we examined whether ERα and AR mRNA expression is localised within the nascent oSDN and could be involved in its development. Using the quantitative r

SUBMITTER: Reddy RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4071168 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature