Regulation of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase MRNA in Lordosis-relevant Neurons of the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Following Short-term Estrogen Treatment

Short-term estrogenic regulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) mRNA in the ventrolateral subdivision of the ventromedial nucleus (VLVMN), an area central to lordosis, was demonstrated using in situ hybridization. Estrogen-treated animals showed a significantly greater signal in the VLVMN, but not the arcuate or supraoptic nuclei, compared to ovariectomized controls. Neuronal NOS may be involved in early actions of estrogen in the VLVMN.