Estrogen receptors in the central auditory system of male and female mice.

The estrogen receptors in the central auditory system of male and female mice were characterized using immunocytochemical methods. Estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERalpha, ERbeta) were localized predominantly in the ventral cochlear nucleus, nucleus of the trapezoid body, the lateral- and medio-ventral periolivary nuclei, the dorsal lateral lemniscus, and the inferior colliculus. The medial geniculate nucleus was negative for both ERalpha and ERbeta whereas the auditory cortex was positive for ERalpha. The lateral superior olive, the ventral lateral lemniscus and the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus expressed only ERbeta. The differential localization of ERalpha and ERbeta may indicate distinct roles for these two receptors in auditory processing. No major differences in the pattern, number or intensity of receptor expression was found between male and female animals. The comprehensive anatomic map that is constructed for ERalpha and ERbeta in the central auditory pathway will be a useful foundation to elucidate the complexity of estrogen actions in the auditory system.