Steroid hormones such as estrogen can influence the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the female reproductive tract by increasing the expression of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 and altering the levels of anandamide (AEA).
Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, can affect AEA regulation in the central nervous system. AEA levels in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland fluctuate differently depending on the brain area and phase of the estrous cycle. Tamoxifen disrupts cyclic AEA fluctuations and reduces AEA levels in all brain areas.
In the pituitary gland, the expression of NAPE-PLD increases during the metestrus phase, while in the hypothalamus, no differences in FAAH or NAPE-PLD expression were observed. The study provides insights into the distribution and expression of ECS elements in the central nervous system and possible brain areas involved in the interaction between the endocannabinoid and neuroendocrine systems that could influence behavioral responses.
In this article, discover how the authors have been able to measure AEA levels by homogenizing the POA region of hypothalamus and pituitary gland using the Precellys 24.