Chapter 33 - Neuroendocrine Inherited or Induced Aromatase Enzyme Deficits

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-375097-6.10033-2Get rights and content

Publisher Summary

This chapter explains how aromatase and hence estrogens play important roles in multiple physiological functions, from the development of genitalia to reproduction, metabolism, brain function and behavior. Aromatase (CYP19) is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily. It is found on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, forming a complex with its co-enzyme/redox partner NADPH–cytochrome P450 reductase. Aromatase is the only known enzyme to catalyze the irreversible and rate-limiting conversion of C19 androgen to form C18 estrogen. Aromatase transcript expression has been detected in rodent and avian brains, especially in the limbic system, hypothalamus, preoptic nucleus, sexually dimorphic nucleus, bed nucleus of the striata terminalis (BNST), hippocampus and cerebellum. Gonadotropins such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are usually elevated in aromatase-deficient patients. These aromatase–deficient patients confirmed that estrogen exerts a negative feedback on both the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus to modulate the levels of gonadotropin secreted from the anterior pituitary.

References (0)

Cited by (3)

  • Extract of Xylopia aethiopica and its kaurene diterpene, xylopic acid, improve learning and memory in mice

    2022, IBRO Neuroscience Reports
    Citation Excerpt :

    Co-treatment of animals with ketamine, which impairs memory formation via known pathways could also contribute towards identifying the brain regions and pathways via which XAE and XA exert their nootropic effects. Whiles the NOR assesses recognition memory, the Y-maze can be used to assess spatial working memory, which is hippocampal-dependent (Boon and Simpson, 2012; Kraeuter et al., 2019). Mice with normal working memory remember arms previously visited and demonstrate preference for less frequented arms (Kraeuter et al., 2019; Lalonde, 2002).

View full text