Oestrogen infusions into the amygdala potentiate excitatory transmission from the accessory olfactory bulb to tuberoinfundibular arcuate neurones in the mouse
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Abstract
We have previously shown that oestrogen increases the percentage of tuberoinfundibular
(TI) arcuate neurones that respond to electrical stimulation of the accessory olfactory
bulb (AOB). This study focuses on the amygdala as a possible site for the hormonal
modulation of AOB input to TI arcuate neurones. Local infusions of 17 beta-oestradiol
(30 pmol) into the amygdala of ovariectomized female mice significantly potentiated
excitatory responses of TI arcuate neurones to AOB stimulation. This effect appeared
rapidly (less than 10 min) after infusion. The inactive oestrogen isomer, 17 alpha-oestradiol,
infused in the same manner, was without effect. These results suggest that oestrogen
acts directly on amygdala neurones, thereby modulating olfactory information relayed
along the vomeronasal pathway to TI arcuate neurones.