Estrogen Receptor alpha DNA-binding in the arcuate and AVPV nuclei of the hypothalamus in female mice

Coupling the release of pituitary hormones to the developmental stage of the oocyte is essential for female fertility. It requires estrogen to restrain kisspeptin (Kiss1) neuron pulsatility in the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus, while also exerting a surge-like effect on Kiss1 neuron activity in the AVPV hypothalamic nucleus. However, a mechanistic basis for this region-specific effect has remained elusive. Here, we provide functional insight into hypothalamic estrogen sensing by analyzing estrogen receptor alpha (ERa/ESR1) DNA binding events in the arcuate and AVPV nuclei of the hypothalamus in female mice. Overall design: Comparison of Estrogen receptor alpha binding sites between the acruate and AVPV nuclei of the hypocampus in female mice.