Estrogenic modulation of auditory processing: A vertebrate comparison

• Melissa L. Caras^{, 1, ,}

• Neurobiology and Behavior Graduate Program, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195, USA
• Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195, USA

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Highlights

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Estrogens influence mammalian auditory development.

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Estrogens protect the mammalian auditory system from damage.

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Estrogens enhance auditory function during breeding periods.

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Brain-derived estrogens can enhance local response properties in the avian forebrain.

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Abstract

Sex-steroid hormones are well-known regulators of vocal motor behavior in several organisms. 

A large body of evidence now indicates that these same hormones modulate processing at multiple levels of the ascending auditory pathway. 

The goal of this review is to provide a comparative analysis of the role of estrogens in vertebrate auditory function. 

Four major conclusions can be drawn from the literature: 

First, estrogens may influence the development of the mammalian auditory system. 

Second, estrogenic signaling protects the mammalian auditory system from noise- and age-related damage. Third, estrogens optimize auditory processing during periods of reproductive readiness in multiple vertebrate lineages. 

Finally, brain-derived estrogens can act locally to enhance auditory response properties in at least one avian species. 

This comparative examination may lead to a better appreciation of the role of estrogens in the processing of natural vocalizations and mayprovide useful insights toward alleviating auditory dysfunctions emanating from hormonal imbalances.

Fuente: 

Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology

Available online 31 July 2013