17β-Estradiol synthesis in the adult male rat retina

17β-Estradiol (E2) exerts neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects in the retina as well as in other CNS structures, independently of sex. Retinal effects, however, have not been supported by evidence on local synthesis, and whether CNS 17β-estradiol is formed in a neurosteroidogenic pathway starting from cholesterol conversion into pregnenolone is a question still left unanswered. In the adult male rat retina, we have previously showed localization and activity of the P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc) enzyme, which is involved in pregnenolone synthesis. Here, we demonstrate both the mRNA and protein expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), P450aromatase and also of P450scc, but only the protein expression of P450 17α-hydroxylase/lyase (P450c17). Using radiolabeled pregnenolone and testosterone as precursors, in the isolated and intact retina of adult male rats, E2 is produced in a large amount by each precursor within 1–4 h, suggesting a highly active metabolic pathway towards its formation. The immunolocalization pattern shows enzymes and estrogen receptor subtypes (ERα, ERβ) scattered in the retina with different intensities throughout the layers. The results point to the adult male rat retina as a neurosteroidogenic structure where E2 synthesis via a progesterone pathway and the presence of estrogen receptors provide important clues for understanding the neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of the steroid hormone.