PMID: 15225133Jul 1, 2004Paper

Allopregnanolone in the brain and blood after disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in fetal sheep

The Journal of Endocrinology
Phuong N NguyenJonathan J Hirst

Abstract

Neuroactive steroids may be synthesised in the brain either de novo from cholesterol or from blood-borne precursors. Concentrations of a GABAA receptor agonist, allopregnanolone, in the fetal brain exceed those in the circulation, and are markedly higher than adult brain concentrations. We used fetal hypophysectomy or adrenalectomy to elucidate the contribution of hypothalamic-pituitary factors and adrenal steroid secretion to the overall neuroactive steroid level in both the fetal brain and the fetal circulation. Hypophysectomy or adrenalectomy was performed between 108 and 112 days of gestation (term approximately 147 days) and fetal tissues were collected at 140 days of gestation. Immunoreactive (ir) ACTH and cortisol in the plasma were significantly reduced after hypophysectomy, whereas adrenalectomy led to increased irACTH but significantly decreased cortisol concentrations, as expected. Brain concentrations of allopregnanolone, progesterone and pregnenolone did not change significantly in fetuses that underwent either hypophysectomy or adrenalectomy; however, concentrations in the plasma and content in the adrenal gland were decreased. Expression of cytochrome P450 scc and 5alpha-reductase type II (5alphaRII) in the brain...Continue Reading

Citations

Jun 29, 2006·Biology of the Neonate·Saraid S BilliardsJonathan J Hirst
Sep 10, 2013·Progress in Neurobiology·Paula J BruntonJonathan J Hirst
Aug 28, 2004·The Journal of Physiology·Phuong N NguyenJonathan J Hirst
Oct 13, 2007·Brain Research Reviews·Jun Ming WangRoberta Diaz Brinton
Aug 12, 2015·The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·Paula J Brunton
Nov 3, 2010·Stress : the International Journal on the Biology of Stress·Jason J Paris, Cheryl A Frye

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