Brain formation of oestrogen in the mouse: sex dimorphism in aromatase development

Contribution of birds to the study of sexual differentiation of brain and behavior

Behavioral neuroendocrinology has largely relied on mammalian models to understand the relationship between hormones and behavior, even if this discipline has historically used a larger diversity of species than other fields. Recent advances revealed the potential of avian models in elucidating the neuroendocrine bases of behavior. This paper provides a review focused mainly on the contributions of our laboratory to the study of sexual differentiation in Japanese quail and songbirds. Quail studies have firmly established the role of embryonic estrogens in the sexual differentiation of male copulatory behavior. While most sexually differentiated features identified in brain structure and physiology result from the different endocrine milieu of adults, a few characteristics are organized by embryonic estrogens. Among them, a sex difference was identified in the number and morphology of microglia which is not associated with sex differences in the concentration/expression of neuroinflammatory molecules. The behavioral role of microglia and neuroinflammatory processes requires further investigations. Sexual differentiation of singing in zebra finches is not mediated by the same endocrine mechanisms as male copulatory behavior and "direct" genetic effect, i.e., not mediated by gonadal steroids have been identified. Epigenetic contributions have also been considered. Finally sex differences in specific aspects of singing behavior have been identified in canaries after treatment of adults with exogenous testosterone suggesting that these aspects of song are differentiated during ontogeny. Integration of quail and songbirds as alternative models has thus expanded understanding of the interplay between hormones and behavior in the control of sexual differentiation.

Treatment with androgens plus estrogens cannot reverse sex differences in song and the song control nuclei in adult canaries

Adult treatments with testosterone (T) do not activate singing behavior nor promote growth of song control nuclei to the same extent in male and female canaries (Serinus canaria). Because T acts in part via aromatization into an estrogen and brain aromatase activity is lower in females than in males in many vertebrates, we hypothesized that this enzymatic difference might explain the sex differences seen even after exposure to the same amount of T. Three groups of castrated males and 3 groups of photoregressed females (i.e., with quiescent ovaries following exposure to short days) received either 2 empty 10 mm silastic implants, one empty implant and one implant filled with T or one implant filled with T plus one with estradiol (E2). Songs were recorded for 3 h each week for 6 weeks before brains were collected and song control nuclei volumes were measured in Nissl-stained sections. Multiple measures of song were still different in males and females following treatment with T. Co-administration of E2 did not improve these measures and even tended to inhibit some measures such as song rate and song duration. The volume of forebrain song control nuclei (HVC, RA, Area X) and the rate of neurogenesis in HVC was increased by the two steroid treatments, but remained significantly smaller in females than in males irrespective of the endocrine condition. These sex differences are thus not caused by a lower aromatization of the steroid; sex differences in canaries are probably organized either by early steroid action or by sex-specific gene regulation directly in the brain.

Hormonal and genetic factors interact to control aromatase expression in the developing brain

Brain expression of the enzyme P450-aromatase has been studied extensively. Subsequent to the aromatisation hypothesis having established brain aromatase as a key factor to convert gonadal testosterone to oestradiol, several studies have investigated the regulation of aromatase during the critical period of brain sexual differentiation. We review previous and recent findings concerning regulation of aromatase. The role of gonadal hormones, sex chromosome genes and neurosteroids is analysed in terms of their contribution to aromatase expression, as well as implications for the organisational effect of steroids during development.

Expression of aromatase and two isozymes of 5α-reductase in the developing green anole forebrain

Neural steroids, as well as the enzymes that produce these hormones, are important for sexual differentiation of the brain during development. Aromatase converts testosterone into oestradiol. 5α-reductase converts testosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone and occurs in two isozymes: type 1 (5αR1) and type 2 (5αR2). Each of these enzymes is present in the developing brain in many species, although no work has been carried out examining the expression of all three enzymes in non-avian reptiles with genetic sex determination. In the present study, we evaluated mRNA expression of neural aromatase, 5αR1 and 5αR2, on the day of hatching and at day 50 in one such lizard, the green anole. We describe the distribution of these enzymes throughout the brain and the quantification of mRNA expression in three regions that control adult sexual behaviours: the preoptic area (POA) and ventromedial amygdala (AMY), which are involved in male displays, as well as the ventromedial hypothalamus, which regulates female receptivity. Younger animals had a greater number (POA) and density (AMY) of 5αR1 mRNA expressing cells. We detected no effects of sex or age on aromatase or 5αR2. In comparison with data from adults, the present results support the idea that the green anole forebrain has not completely differentiated by 50 days after hatching and that 5αR1 may play a role in the early development of regions important for masculine function.

Sexual dimorphism in the brain aromatase expression and activity, and in the central expression of other steroidogenic enzymes during the period of sex differentiation in monosex rainbow trout populations

Using genetic monosex male and female rainbow trout populations, the potential sex differences in the central expression of estrogen receptors (esr1, esr2a, esr2b), brain aromatase (cyp19a1b) and some other steroidogenic enzymes was studied over the period of sex differentiation (from 35 to 63 dpf: days post-fertilization) using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). In addition, aromatase activity was evaluated during this period. The results indicated that brain aromatase (cyp19a1b) expression and activity showed a clear and significant sexually dimorphic pattern with higher levels in male brain between 35 and 53 dpf before the time of gonad morphological differentiation. At that time the expression of a key enzyme involved in the conversion of cholesterol into steroids, the cyp11a1 (p450scc), as well as the estrogen receptors were also sexually dimorphic. The dimorphism was lost from 56 dpf onwards. Transcription factors such as nr5a1b (sf1) and nr0b1 (dax1), but not foxl2a were also higher in males than in females. These results demonstrate that, before or during the early period of morphological gonad differentiation, the brain exhibits a clear sexual dimorphism with respect to the expression and activity of aromatase as well as of certain enzymes and factors involved in steroid synthesis as p450scc and sf1. The results suggest a higher potentiality to produce estrogens by male brains during sex differentiation time.

Selective transcriptional regulation of aromatase gene by vitamin D, dexamethasone, and mifepristone in human glioma cells

The human aromatase gene (CYP19A1) is controlled by multiple promoters that give rise to different aromatase transcripts. Its regulation has been studied in cells from multiple origins, including placenta, bone, adipose tissue, and breast cancer. However, little is known about its regulation in cells from neural origin. We assessed whether vitamin D, dexamethasone, and the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone regulate the aromatase gene in human glioma, neuroblastoma, and breast cancer cells. The results show that these compounds enhance the activity of different aromatase promoters in glioma cells, but not in neuroblastoma and breast cancer cells. Vitamin D increased the expression of I.3, I.7, and I.4 aromatase transcripts and induced de novo expression of the I.6 transcript; dexamethasone increased the expression of I.4, PII, and I.3 transcripts and mifepristone increased the expression of PII and I.3 aromatase transcripts. The cell specific regulation of CYP19A1 by vitamin D, dexamethasone, and mifepristone opens the possibility for cellular selective modulation of estrogen biosynthesis within the brain.

Intrauterine position effects on anogenital distance and digit ratio in male and female mice

Anogenital distance (AGD) and the ratio of the second (index) to fourth (ring) digit lengths (2D:4D) are two widely used indicators of prenatal androgen exposure. The former is commonly used in rodent models, while the latter is principally used in human studies. We investigated variation in these two traits in C57BL/6J mice to test the hypothesis that variation in these two traits reflect a common underlying variable, presumably testosterone exposure. AGD is a sexually dimorphic trait used to sex young rodents. This distance typically increases and becomes more male-like in female pups when their uterine neighbors are male. 2D:4D is sexually dimorphic in a number of species, including humans and other great apes. Lower digit ratios may be associated with greater exposure to androgens during fetal development in humans. We found the expected sexual dimorphism in AGD, but no significant sex difference in 2D:4D, and no correlation between 2D:4D and AGD. Gestating next to males increased a pup's 2D:4D ratio, but it had no effect on AGD. The lack of correlation between 2D:4D and AGDs in this mouse strain suggests that these two measures do not reflect a common influence of androgen exposure. The possible roles of temporal and localized effects of masculinization are discussed.

Human fetal and neonatal movement patterns: Gender differences and fetal-to-neonatal continuity

Longitudinal quantification of leg movements per minute for human subjects during both fetal and neonatal periods was accomplished from videotapings conducted antenatally (ultrasonography 30, 34, and 37 weeks gestational age) and postnatally (birth and 6 weeks of age). Fetal/neonatal subjects displayed decreasing numbers of leg movements per minute during antenatal development (30 to 37 weeks), followed by increasing numbers of leg movements per minute during postnatal development (birth to 6 weeks of age). Male subjects displayed greater numbers of leg movements per minute than female subjects during both antenatal and postnatal development. Fetal-to-neonatal continuity for numbers of leg movements per minute was found for comparisons between fetal (37 weeks gestational age) and neonatal (during sleep states at birth) measures, and females displayed a stronger and different movement continuity pattern than males. These results indicate a differential time course for neurobehavioral development of male and female fetuses/neonates, and the findings have implications for the clinical assessment of fetal neurobehavioral development and well-being.

Steroid metabolising enzymes in the determination of brain gender

The neurotrophic effects of oestrogen formed in the brain are important in brain sexual differentiation of the central nervous system and behaviour. Aromatase, converting testosterone to oestradiol-17beta, is a key enzyme involved in brain development. In primary cell cultures of foetal hypothalamus, we have found that male neurones consistently have higher aromatase activity than in the female. Using a specific antibody to the mouse aromatase, immunoreactivity was localized in the neural soma and neurites in hypothalamic cultures. Additionally more male foetal hypothalamus neurones express aromatase than in the female. Testosterone increases aromatase activity in parallel with a greater number of aromatase-immunoreactive neurones. Testosterone also increases soma size, neurite length, and branching of cultured hypothalamic neurones. The neuronal aromatase activity appears to be sensitive to the inductive effects of androgen only during the later stages of foetal development. Endogenous inhibitors of the aromatase are also likely to have a regulatory role. This work suggests that regulation of a network of aromatase neurones, sensitive to the hormonal environment of the hypothalamus, may determine when oestrogens are available for neurotrophic effects underlying brain differentiation.

Identification of cis-acting elements in the proximal promoter region for brain-specific exon 1 of the mouse aromatase gene

Among multiple exons 1 of the mouse aromatase gene, brain-specific exon 1 is only utilized in the hypothalamus and amygdala regions. In this study, identification of the promoter region necessary for basal transcription of the aromatase gene in the brain was undertaken. Deletions of various lengths were introduced into the overall promoter region, which was fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. The resulting reporters were transfected into cultured neurons from the diencephala of fetal mouse brains on embryonic day 13 and then their CAT mRNA levels were determined. The reporter plasmid containing the promoter region 202 bp upstream from the transcriptional initiation site gave the greatest expression. Then binding of trans-acting factors in a nuclear extract of the diencephala to the -202 bp promoter region was investigated by DNase I footprint analysis, multiple protected areas, referred to as Arom-Aalpha, Abeta, Agamma, B and C, being found. Gel shift assays, performed with oligonucleotides corresponding to the protected areas, showed that nuclear DNA binding factors form specific complexes exhibiting different mobilities. Substitution in the Arom-Aalpha or -B sequence in the promoter region in the CAT reporters decreased the CAT mRNA expression levels to about one-fifth the wild type one. These results suggest that multiple nuclear factors bound to the core promoter region participate in the expression of the aromatase gene in mouse brain neurons.

Development of cataplexy in genetically narcoleptic Dobermans

Forty-two genetically narcoleptic Doberman puppies [20 pure narcoleptic (N) puppies (from four narcoleptic x narcoleptic crosses) and 22 backcross narcoleptic (BN) puppies (from six narcoleptic x heterozygous crosses)] were systematically observed during the developmental period (4-24 weeks) to assess the age at onset and severity of cataplexy, a pathological manifestation of REM sleep atonia seen in narcolepsy. The mean age of onset of cataplexy was 9.69 +/- 1.15 weeks, with a median age of 7 weeks. The severity of cataplexy increased with age and reached a plateau at around 16-24 weeks. The effects of cross type (N vs BN) and sex on the development of cataplexy were analyzed. There was no difference in severity between N and BN puppies (P = 0.51). However, females had more severe cataplexy than males (P = 0.01), and this trend was preserved in five of the six litters that had both male and female puppies. These results suggest that the pathophysiological process in genetic canine narcolepsy emerges during the early developmental period and that it may involve a differential development in males and females. Furthermore, our results revealed that cataplexy onset corresponds to the emergence of adult-like REM sleep and to previously reported neuroanatomical and neurochemical abnormalities in canine narcolepsy.

Hormonal interactions in the effects of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons on the developing brain

Halogenated arylhydrocarbons (HAHs) exert a wide range of effects on the developing brain. These effects result in altered patterns of neuroendocrine function and behavior in adulthood, as well as changes in cognitive function. The underlying mechanisms have not yet been clearly defined. This paper briefly reviews the effects of HAHs on brain development, and proposes the hypothesis that interactions between different hormone-sensitive systems may contribute to the broad spectrum of responses observed after fetal or early postnatal HAH exposure. Physiological interactions between the effects of sex steroids, corticosteroids, and thyroid hormone are known to influence the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Since the biosynthesis and/or action of each of these hormones is sensitive to developmental HAH exposure, it is suggested that convergent effects of HAHs on different endocrine pathways may underlie some of the disruptive effects of these chemicals on CNS differentiation. Data are presented indicating that the disruptive effects of low dose dioxin exposure on sexual differentiation of the rat brain are probably not mediated through blockade of estrogen responses, but may instead involve subtle developmental changes in other endocrine systems, perhaps also affecting the feedback control of adrenocortical function. The potential for interactive endocrine effects illustrates the need for a fuller understanding of the range of biological activities of HAHs in the brain, so that the potential risks of low dose developmental exposure to these environmental toxicants can be predicted with greater certainty.

Gender-specific steroid metabolism in neural differentiation

1. Both the neuroendocrine system and the brain mechanisms underlying gender-specific behavior are known to be organized by steroid sex hormones, androgen and estrogen, during specific sensitive phases of early fetal and perinatal development. The factors that control these phasic effects of the hormones on brain development are still not understood. Processes of masculinization and defeminization are thought to be involved in the sex differentiation of mammalian reproductive behavior. 2. The P450 aromatase, converting androgen to estrogen, is a key enzyme in the development of neural systems, and the activity of this enzyme is likely to be one of the factors determining brain sex differentiation. 3. We have examined the localization and regulation of brain aromatase using the mouse as a model. Measurement of testosterone conversion to estradiol-17 beta, using a sensitive radiometric 3H2O assay, indicates that estrogens are formed more actively in the male mouse brain than in the female during both the prenatal and the neonatal periods. In primary cell cultures of embryonic mouse hypothalamus there are sex differences in aromatase activity during early and late embryogenesis, with a higher capacity for estrogen formation in the male than the female. These sex differences are regionally specific in the brain, since on gender differences in aromatase activity are detectable in cortical cells. 4. Aromatase activity in the mouse brain is neuronal rather than glial. Using a specific antibody to the mouse aromatase, immunoreactivity is restricted to neuronal soma and neurites in hypothalamic cultures. There are more neurons containing expressed aromatase in the male hypothalamus than in the female. Therefore, gender-specific differences in embryonic aromatase activity are neuronal. 5. Testosterone increases aromatase activity specifically in hypothalamic neurons, but has no effect on cortical cells. The neuronal aromatase activity appears to be sensitive to the inductive effects of androgen only in the later stages of embryonic development. Androgen also increases the numbers of aromatase-immunoreactive neurons in the hypothalamus. 6. This work suggests that the embryonic male hypothalamus and other androgen target areas contain a network of neurons which has the capacity to provide estrogen for the sexual differentiation of brain mechanisms of behavior. The phasic activity of the key enzyme, aromatase, during development is influenced by androgen. What determines the developmental action of androgen and the other factors involved in the regulation and expression of this neuronal enzyme still have to be established.

Sex and the developing brain: suppression of neuronal estrogen sensitivity by developmental androgen exposure

The developmental effects of androgen play a central role in sexual differentiation of the mammalian central nervous system. The cellular mechanisms responsible for mediating these effects remain incompletely understood. A considerable amount of evidence has accumulated indicating that one of the earliest detectable events in the mechanism of sexual differentiation is a selective and permanent reduction in estrogen receptor concentrations in specific regions of the brain. Using quantitative autoradiographic methods, it has been possible to precisely map the regional distribution of estrogen receptors in the brains of male and female rats, as well as to study the development of sexual dimorphisms in receptor distribution. Despite previous data suggesting that the left and right sides of the brain may be differentially responsive to early androgen exposure, there is no significant right-left asymmetry in estrogen receptor distribution, in either sex. Significant sex differences in receptor density are, however, observed in several regions of the preoptic area, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, particularly in its most rostral and caudal aspects. In the periventricular preoptic area of the female, highest estrogen receptor density occurs in the anteroventral periventricular region: binding in this region is reduced by approximately 50% in the male, as compared to the female. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that androgen-induced defeminization of feminine behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to estrogen may involve selective reductions in the estrogen sensitivity of critical components of the neural circuitry regulating these responses, mediated in part through a reduction in estrogen receptor biosynthesis.

Sex differences in the regulation of embryonic brain aromatase

Oestrogen formed from androgen by aromatization plays a critical role in the sexual differentiation of the male brain and behaviour. A question which has still to be answered is what regulates the gender-specific changes in aromatase activity forming oestrogen during sensitive periods of brain growth. Using a primary cell culture technique and sexed embryos, we have shown that in the fetal mouse brain, oestrogen formation in the male is neuronal rather than glial and aromatase activity is regionally localized, being higher in the hypothalamus than in the cortex. The aromatase activity measured from cells in culture has the same enzyme binding affinity (apparent Km approximately 40 nM) as intact brain samples. Neurones developing in the embryonic male brain (embryonic day (ED) 15) contain higher aromatase activity (Vmax, 895 fmol/h/mg protein) than the female (Vmax, 604). Although a sex difference exists at early stages of embryonic development (ED 13), the embryonic aromatase system is regulated by steroids later in fetal development. The developing aromatase-containing neuroblasts probably form processes which connect to other aromatase neurones. Immunoreactive staining with an aromatase polyclonal antibody identifies an increase in numbers of aromatase-immunoreactive hypothalamic neuronal cell bodies following testosterone treatment. Testosterone treatment also causes both stimulation of neurite growth and branching as well as functional maturation of aromatase neurones. In particular, there is an increase in aromatase activity per neurone as well as a dramatic increase in the number of neurones expressing the enzyme. Both the functional and morphological changes depend on androgen receptor stimulation for several days in vitro. This conclusion is supported by colocalization studies which reveal a high number of fetal hypothalamic aromatase neurones co-expressing androgen receptor. We conclude that testosterone influences the growth of male hypothalamic neurones containing aromatase at a sensitive period of brain development. Endogenous steroid inhibitors of aromatase, probably formed within the neuroglia, also play a role in the control of oestrogen production. An endogenous 5alpha-reduced metabolite of testosterone, 5alpha-androstanedione, is almost as potent in inhibiting neuronal hypothalamic aromatase activity (Ki = 23 nM) as the synthetic non-steroidal inhibitors such as the imidazole, fadrozole, and the triazoles, arimidex and letrozole. It is clear that the oestrogen-forming capacity of the male hypothalamus has the special characteristics and plasticity of regulation which could affect brain differentiation at specific steroid-sensitive stages in ontogeny.

Localization of the mouse gene releasing sex-limited expression of Slp

To probe genetic variation in the regulation of sexual dimorphism, we have characterized the mouse protein Slp, coded by the gene sex-limited protein (Slp). Slp expression in many strains is limited to males and is androgen-dependent. However, female expression is also observed in rare strains, due to nonlinked gene(s) termed regulator of sex-limitation (rsl). In this report we demonstrate that female expression of Slp results from homozygous recessive allele(s) at a single autosomal locus that maps to a 2.2-centimorgan interval on chromosome 13. This conclusion was supported by extensive genetic analyses including the use of polymorphic microsatellites to type numerous backcross progeny and a recombinant inbred series and to identify the congenic interval in three independently derived congenic strains. Four attractive candidate genes were identified by the localization of rsl. Interestingly, rsl was found not only to enable expression in females but to also increase expression in males. The findings suggest that the expression of Slp and perhaps other sexually dimorphic proteins is regulated by two pathways, one that is dependent upon rsl but not androgens and another that is rsl-independent but requires androgens.