Is membrane androgen and estrogen receptor signaling imperative in the governing function of the adrenal cortex in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.)?

• Published in: Journal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological and integrative physiology Vol. 341; no. 5; pp. 587 - 596
• Main Authors: Lonc, G., Hrabia, A., Krakowska, I., Korzekwa, A. J., Zarzycka, M., Wolak, D., Wajdzik, M., Kotula‐Balak, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-06-2024
• Subjects: Adrenal cortex; Adrenal glands; adrenals; Androgen receptors; Androgens; Aquatic mammals; beaver; Beavers; Calcium; Calcium ions; Castor fiber; Corticosterone; Environmental effects; Estrogen receptors; Estrogens; Females; Freshwater mammals; Glands; Histology; Homeostasis; Human factors; Localization; Males; membrane androgen receptor; membrane estrogen receptor; Membrane proteins; Membranes; Oestrogens; Physiology; Proteins; Receptors; Sex hormones; Zinc; Zinc transporter; estrogens; membrane androgen receptor; membrane estrogen receptor; adrenals; corticosterone; beaver
• ISSN: 2471-5638; 2471-5646
• DOI: 10.1002/jez.2806

There is a need to fully know the physiology of Eurasian beaver due to its essential role in environmental homeostasis. However, a “human factor“ impacts this, including stress conditions and environmental pollution. Adrenal glands protect these all. The regulation of endocrine processes by nonclassical androgen and estrogen signaling, the first and fastest control, is still a matter of research. The specific analyses performed here in mature female and male beaver adrenals contained: anatomical and histological examinations, expression and localization of membrane androgen receptor (zinc transporter, Zinc‐ and Iron‐like protein 9; ZIP9) and membrane estrogen receptor coupled with G protein (GPER), and measurement of zinc (Zn2+) and copper (Ca2+) ion levels and corticosterone levels. We revealed normal anatomical localization, size, and tissue histology in female and male beavers, respectively. Equally, ZIP9 and GPER were localized in the membrane of all adrenal cortex cells. The protein expression of these receptors was higher (p < 0.001) in male than female adrenal cortex cells. Similarly, Zn2+ and Ca2+ ion levels were higher (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) in male than female adrenal cortex. The increased corticosterone levels (p < 0.001) were detected in the adrenal cortex of females when compared to males. The present study is the first to report the presence of nonclassical androgen and estrogen signaling and its possible regulatory function in the adrenal cortex of Eurasian beavers. We assume that this first‐activated and fast‐transmitted regulation can be important in the context of the effect of environmental physical and chemical stressors especially on adrenal cortex cells. The beaver adrenals may constitute an additional supplementary model for searching for universal mechanisms of adrenal cortex physiology and diseases.
Highlights
There are no sex‐specific changes in the anatomy and histology of Eurasian beavers.
Expression of ZIP9 and GPER is higher in males.
Zn2+ and Ca2+ levels were higher in males.
The corticosterone levels are higher in females.