Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modulatory role of locus coeruleus and estradiol on the stress response of female rats

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Endocrine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is modulated by the norepinephrinergic system and, in females, also by the ovarian hormones. We investigated the role of ovarian steroids and the locus coeruleus (LC) on stress-induced corticosterone secretion in female rats. Ovariectomized rats without hormonal replacement (OVX) or treated with estradiol (OVE) or estradiol plus progesterone (OVEP) were subjected to jugular cannulation. Immediately after that, each hormonal treatment group was subjected to LC lesion or sham surgery or no brain surgery. After 24 h, blood samples of all 9 groups were collected before and after ether inhalation. Other four groups (OVX control, sham and lesioned, and OVE) were perfused for glucocorticoid receptor (GR) immunocytochemistry in hippocampal CA1 neurons and paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Estradiol replacement decreased while LC lesions increased stress-induced corticosterone secretion. The effect of LC lesion was potentiated with the removal of ovarian steroids. Since GR expression of lesioned animals decreased in the hippocampus, but not in PVN, we suggest that the effect of LC lesion on corticosterone secretion could be due to a reduction in the efficiency of the negative feedback system in the CA1 neurons. However, this mechanism is not involved in the estradiol modulation on corticosteroid secretion, as no change in GR expression was observed in estradiol-treated animals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C. Tsigos, G.P. Chrousos, J. Psychosom. Res. 53, 865–871 (2002)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. L. Jacobson, R. Sapolsky, Endocr. Rev. 12, 118–134 (1991)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. P.E. Sawchenko, L.W. Swanson, Brain Res. 257, 275–325 (1982)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. R.J. Valentino, S.L. Foote, M.E. Page, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 697, 173–188 (1993)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. J. Korf, G.K. Aghajanian, R.H. Roth, Neuropharmacology 12, 933–938 (1973)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. L.K. Nisenbaum, M.J. Zigmond, A.F. Sved, E.D. Abercrombie, J. Neurosci. 11, 1478–1484 (1991)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. S.L. Foote, F.E. Bloom, G. Aston-Jones, Physiol. Rev. 63, 844–914 (1983)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. K. Pacak, M. Palkovits, I.J. Kopin, D.S. Goldstein, Front. Neuroendocrinol. 16, 89–150 (1995)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. S. Asbach, C. Schulz, H. Lehnert, Eur. J. Endocrinol. 145, 359–363 (2001)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. R.J. Valentino, M. Page, E. Van Bockstaele, G. Aston-Jones, Neuroscience 48, 689–705 (1992)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. S.X. Simonian, A.E. Herbison, J. Neuroendocrinol. 9, 803–806 (1997)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. R.D. Mehra, K. Sharma, C. Nyakas, U. Vij, Brain Res. 1056, 22–35 (2005)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. N.C. Vamvakopoulos, G.P. Chrousos, J. Clin. Invest. 92, 1896–1902 (1993)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. H.F. Figueiredo, Y.M. Ulrich-Lai, D.C. Choi, J.P. Herman, Am. J Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab. 292, E1173–E1182 (2007)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. H.C. Atkinson, B.J. Waddell, Endocrinology 138, 3842–3848 (1997)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. B. Lesniewska, M. Nowak, L.K. Malendowicz, Horm. Metab. Res. 22, 378–381 (1990)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. M. Weinstock, M. Razin, D. Schorer-Apelbaum, D. Men, R. McCarty, Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. 16, 289–295 (1998)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. L.H. Burgess, R.J. Handa, Endocrinology 131, 1261–1269 (1992)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. M.P. Carey, C.H. Deterd, J. de Koning, F. Helmerhorst, E.R. De Kloet, J. Endocrinol. 144, 311–321 (1995)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. O. Paulmyer-Lacroix, M. Hery, M. Pugeat, M. Grino, J. Neuroendocrinol. 8, 515–519 (1996)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. D.A. Haas, S.R. George, Brain Res. Bull. 23, 215–218 (1989)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. R.B. Simerly, C. Chang, M. Muramatsu, L.W. Swanson, J. Comp. Neurol. 294, 76–95 (1990)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Y. Kastrup, M. Hallbeck, A. Amandusson, S. Hirata, O. Hermanson, A. Blomqvist, Neurosci. Lett. 275, 85–88 (1999)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. C.V. Helena, P.M. de Oliveira, G.L. Sanvitto, S. Hayashi, C.R. Franci, J.A. Anselmo-Franci, J. Endocrinol. 188, 155–165 (2006)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. A.S. Heritage, W.E. Stumpf, M. Sar, L.D. Grant, Science 207, 1377–1379 (1980)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. L. Serova, M. Rivkin, A. Nakashima, E.L. Sabban, Neuroendocrinology 75, 193–200 (2002)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. E. Redei, L. Li, I. Halasz, R.F. McGivern, F. Aird, Neuroendocrinology 60, 113–123 (1994)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. E.A. Young, M. Altemus, V. Parkison, S. Shastry, Neuropsychopharmacology 25, 881–891 (2001)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. R.C. Gaillard, E. Spinedi, Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 15, 345–352 (1998)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. H. Lehnert, C. Schulz, K. Dieterich, Neurochem. Res. 23, 1039–1052 (1998)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. M.O. Poletini, R.E. Szawka, C.R. Franci, J.A. Anselmo-Franci, J. Neuroendocrinol. 18, 938–948 (2006)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. K.D. Fagin, J. Shinsako, M.F. Dallman, Am. J. Physiol. 245, E515–E520 (1983)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. K. Takuma, A. Matsuo, Y. Himeno, Y. Hoshina, Y. Ohno, Y. Funatsu, S. Arai, H. Kamei, H. Mizoguchi, T. Nagai, K. Koike, M. Inoue, K. Yamada, Neuroscience 146, 60–68 (2007)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. A.H. Miller, R.L. Spencer, M. Pulera, S. Kang, B.S. McEwen, M. Stein, Biol. Psychiatry 32, 850–869 (1992)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. F.G. DeKeyser, R.R. Leker, J. Weidenfeld, Neuroimmunomodulation 7, 182–188 (2000)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. T.J. Cole, K. Myles, J.F. Purton, P.S. Brereton, N.M. Solomon, D.I. Godfrey, J.W. Funder, Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 173, 193–202 (2001)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Z. Liposits, R.M. Uht, R.W. Harrison, F.P. Gibbs, W.K. Paull, M.C. Bohn, Histochemistry 87, 407–412 (1987)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. S. Feldman, J. Weidenfeld, Brain Res. 614, 227–232 (1993)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. M. Morimoto, N. Morita, H. Ozawa, K. Yokoyama, M. Kawata, Neurosci. Res. 26, 235–269 (1996)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. K.D. Laugero, F. Gomez, S. Manalo, M.F. Dallman, Endocrinology 143, 4552–4562 (2002)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. R.M. Sapolsky, L.C. Krey, B.S. McEwen, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81, 6174–6177 (1984)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. D. Karandrea, C. Kittas, E. Kitraki, Neuroendocrinology 75, 217–226 (2002)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Z. Sheng, A. Yanai, R. Fujinaga, J. Kawano, M. Tanaka, Y. Watanabe, K. Shinoda, Neurosci. Res. 46, 205–218 (2003)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. M. Ferrini, S. Gonzalez, T. Antakly, A.F. De Nicola, Cell. Mol. Neurobiol. 13, 387–397 (1993)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. D.R. Ziegler, W.A. Cass, J.P. Herman, J. Neuroendocrinol. 11, 361–369 (1999)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. K. Pacak, M. Palkovits, R. Kvetnansky, I.J. Kopin, D.S. Goldstein, Neuroendocrinology 58, 196–201 (1993)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. J.A. Anselmo-Franci, C.R. Franci, L. Krulich, J. Antunes-Rodrigues, S.M. McCann, Brain Res. 767, 289–296 (1997)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. R.E. Szawka, C.V. Helena, G.V. Rodovalho, P.M. Monteiro, C.R. Franci, J.A. Anselmo-Franci, J. Neuroendocrinol. 17, 639–648 (2005)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. S. Maccari, P. Mormede, P.V. Piazza, H. Simon, L. Angelucci, M. Le Moal, Psychoneuroendocrinology 17, 103–112 (1992)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. E.D. Abercrombie, R.W. Keller Jr., M.J. Zigmond, Neuroscience 27, 897–904 (1988)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. S.E. Loughlin, S.L. Foote, F.E. Bloom, Neuroscience 18, 291–306 (1986)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. J. Lachuer, S. Gaillet, B. Barbagli, M. Buda, M. Tappaz, Neuroendocrinology 53, 589–596 (1991)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. P.G. Harms, S.R. Ojeda, J. Appl. Physiol. 36, 391–392 (1974)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. C.V. Helena, C.R. Franci, J.A. Anselmo-Franci, Brain Res. 955, 245–252 (2002)

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. G. Paxinos, C. Watson, The rat brain in stereotaxic coordinates (Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA, 1998)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Mrs. Rute Marcon for the technical support. This study was financially supported by FAPESP, CNPq, and PRPq-USP.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Fisiologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Isac Alexandre Ferreira-Silva & Celso Rodrigues Franci

  2. Departamento de Morfologia, Estomatologia e Fisiologia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café, s/nº, CEP: 14040-904, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Cleyde Vanessa Vega Helena & Janete Aparecida Anselmo-Franci

  3. Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Aldo Bolten Lucion

Authors
  1. Isac Alexandre Ferreira-Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cleyde Vanessa Vega Helena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Celso Rodrigues Franci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Aldo Bolten Lucion
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Janete Aparecida Anselmo-Franci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Janete Aparecida Anselmo-Franci.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ferreira-Silva, I.A., Helena, C.V.V., Franci, C.R. et al. Modulatory role of locus coeruleus and estradiol on the stress response of female rats. Endocr 35, 166–176 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-008-9139-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-008-9139-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation