Changes in estrogen receptor ERalpha and ERbeta expression in chicken (Gallus domesticus) adrenal gland during short-fasting and refeeding.

Estrogen receptors have been found in the adrenal gland of rodents, monkeys, mares and sheep, indicating a connection between sex steroids and the activity of the adrenal gland. In the present study, the expression of estrogen receptors alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) in the chicken adrenal gland during stress induced by 24 h fasting and after refeeding was determined using reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The presence of both ER mRNAs in the adrenal gland of all examined groups was found. The relative expression of ERalpha mRNA was higher than ERbeta mRNA. There were no significant differences in ERalpha mRNA expression among the examined groups. On the contrary, we observed changes in ERbeta expression during stress conditions. These findings indicate different pathways of estrogen action in the avian adrenal gland. Furthermore, changes in ERbeta level suggest that this form of estrogen receptor plays a predominant role for estrogen action in the chicken adrenal gland during stress.