Diurnal in vivo and rapid in vitro effects of estradiol on voltage-gated calcium channels in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons

J Neurosci. 2010 Mar 17;30(11):3912-23. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6256-09.2010.

Abstract

A robust surge of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release triggers the luteinizing hormone surge that induces ovulation. The GnRH surge is attributable to estradiol feedback, but the mechanisms are incompletely understood. Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) regulate hormone release and neuronal excitability, and may be part of the surge-generating mechanism. We examined VGCCs of GnRH neurons in brain slices from a model exhibiting daily luteinizing hormone surges. Mice were ovariectomized (OVX), and a subset was treated with estradiol implants (OVX+E). OVX+E mice exhibit negative feedback in the A.M. and positive feedback in the P.M. GnRH neurons express prominent high-voltage-activated (HVA) and small low-voltage-activated (LVA) macroscopic (whole-cell) Ca currents (I(Ca)). LVA-mediated currents were not altered by estradiol or time of day. In contrast, in OVX+E mice, HVA-mediated currents varied with time of day; HVA currents in cells from OVX+E mice were lower than those in cells from OVX mice in the A.M. but were higher in the P.M. These changes were attributable to diurnal alternations in L- and N-type components. There were no diurnal changes in any aspect of HVA-mediated I(Ca) in OVX mice. Acute in vitro treatment of cells from OVX and OVX+E mice with estradiol rapidly increased HVA currents primarily through L- and R-type VGCCs by activating estrogen receptor beta and GPR30, respectively. These results suggest multiple mechanisms contribute to the overall feedback regulation of HVA-mediated I(Ca) by estradiol. In combination with changes in synaptic inputs to GnRH neurons, these intrinsic changes in GnRH neurons may play critical roles in estradiol feedback.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / administration & dosage
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Calcium Channels / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm / drug effects
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Drug Implants / administration & dosage
  • Drug Implants / pharmacology
  • Estradiol / administration & dosage*
  • Estradiol / physiology
  • Female
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism*
  • Membrane Potentials / drug effects
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Ovariectomy

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels
  • Drug Implants
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Estradiol