Influence of estrogen on reproductive organization in perinatal mouse brain, with special reference to xenoestrogen

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We have set out to obtain an information of whether high E levels during pregnancy would affect the development of perinatal mouse brain, especially the sex-related area through an estrogen receptor (ER) mechanism. We also examined the influence of habitual smoking during pregnancy on perinatal brain development by ad libitum administration of a nicotine-water solution.We have investigated the effects of administration of estriol (EィイD23ィエD2) and/or nicotine to pregnant mouse on neonatal offspring brain development, using immunohistochemical and radiobiochemical techniques.Estriol caused significant decreases in brain weight and ER concentration after birth, whereas nicotine plus EィイD23ィエD2 brought about no changes in brain weight or ER concentration. Intensities of ER- and neuron-specific enolase (NSE)-immunostainings were both enhanced by EィイD23ィエD2 in the reproductive organization including the preoptic area (POA), anterior to middle medial basal hypothalamus (AMBH) and amygdala (AM) after birth, Nicotine alone did not enhance the ER-immunostain intensity in POA, AMBH or AM, whereas it did enhance the NSE-immunostain intensity in these brain areas. On the contrary, simultaneous administration of nicotine and EィイD23ィエD2 brought about the reverse effect of ER- and NSE-immunostain intensities.These results indicate that estrogen treatment during the perinatal period influences, through its receptor, the development and growth of the reproductive organization in the fetal brain. The influence of nicotine needs to be further elucidated.