Effects of age and sex on the expression of estrogen receptor α and β in the mouse inner ear

Abstract

ERalpha and ERbeta were co-expressed in the inner ear, i.e. in the nuclei of stria vascularis, outer and inner hair cells, spiral ganglion cells and vestibular ganglion cells, vestibular dark cells and endolymphatic sac. Strial marginal cells, outer hair cells and type II ganglion cells showed less expression of ERalpha. No gender- or age-related difference was noted in the expression pattern of ERalpha or ERbeta, but fluorescence intensity of ERalpha was stronger in young female mice than in young male mice. In contrast, ERbeta revealed no significant difference. In the old mice, fluorescence intensities of both ERalpha and ERbeta were significantly decreased in both sexes.