Estrogen receptors and central osmotic regulation

Abstract
Estrogens are sex steroid hormones, but the demonstration of estrogen receptors in a variety of tissues that have no relation to reproduction have prompted investigations into nontraditional effects of estrogens. Estrogen receptors (2) are found in the magnocellular neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus and are likely to mediate inhibitory effects of gonadal steroids on release of vasopressin (6). The estrogen receptors are nuclear receptors, of which two types exist, ER-α and ER-β, with identical DNA-binding domains. When not activated the receptors are present within the cell nucleus.