Abstract
This chapter reviews morphological evidence for the growth actions of gonadal steroids in several systems, including avian song-control circuitry and rat lumbar spinal cord, hypothalamus, and hippocampus. It details ultrastructural evidence for estrogen-induced activation of neuronal-steroid growth effects. It begins with steroid-hormone receptor localization and function, and discusses steroid interactions with protein growth factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and how hormonal effects on various second-messenger systems may link hormonal changes with the activities of these growth factors. It presents the evidence of the functional significance of the growth effects of gonadal steroids. It concludes with a hypothesis that the growth effects of estrogen on nonreproductive brain areas such as the hippocampus cumulatively raise the threshold for neuronal damage or dysfunction, and that this could be key to estrogen neuroprotection.
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