Estrous Cycle-Dependent Modulation of Sexual Receptivity in Female Mice by Estrogen Receptor Beta-Expressing Cells in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1137-24.2024
• Publication Date: 2024-09-19T17:50:13Z
• Authors: Tomoaki Murakawa; Lisa Kogure; Kakuma Hata; Kansuke Hasunuma; Satoshi Takenawa; Kazuhiro Sano; Sonoko Ogawa
• Keywords: Lordosis behavior; Dorsal raphe nucleus; Receptivity; Estrogen receptor alpha; Proceptive phase

The sexual receptivity of female mice, shown as lordosis response, is mainly regulated by estradiol action on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ), depending the day estrous cycle. Previous studies revealed that ERα in ventromedial nucleus hypothalamus (VMH) plays an essential role induction estrus (Day 1). However, mechanisms transition to non-receptive states after 2) are not completely understood. In present study, we investigated possible ERβ, which highly expressed dorsal raphe (DRN), expression. We found ERβ-Cre were ovariectomized primed with progesterone mimic cycle, showed high levels Day 2 when ERβ-expressing DRN (DRN-ERβ+) neuronal activity was chemogenetically suppressed. This finding suggests excitation DRN-ERβ+ neurons necessary for decline 2. Fiber photometry recordings during female-male behavioral interactions activation response male intromission significantly more prolonged compared 1. Chemogenetic over-stimulation induced c-Fos expression brain areas known be inhibitory expression, even though they did express anterogradely labeled fibers cells. These findings collectively suggest serves modulator responsible non-estrus phases. Significance Statement females, switching from a sexually receptive state phase cycle effective males successful reproduction. Here, delineate regions regulate responses, such lordosis, those estrus. expressing (ER) β midbrain crucial suppression contrasted facilitatory ERα, another type ER, provides new insights understanding neural basis adaptive reproductive behavior.