Estrogen and serotonin levels?

[anabolicpower]

Since clomid, nolva and such stuff that prevents estrogen floating around can get people who are prone of it into depression, i wondered is estrogen related in any way to serotonin levels in the brain? And if it is, I would appreciate a detailed answer.

[Warrior]

I'm lookin'... found some interesting stuff...

Blood serotonin levels in postmenopausal women: effects of age and serum oestradiol levels.
Maturitas. 1993 Jul;17(1):23-9.

• Gonzales GF, Carrillo C.

Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima Peru.

This study investigated the effect of ageing and reduction in ovarian function on whole blood serotonin levels and the effect of the oestrogen replacement in postmenopausal women on blood serotonin levels. Amenorrheic, natural postmenopausal and ovariectomised women had lower blood serotonin levels than regularly menstruating women. Blood serotonin levels increased after oestrogen replacement in postmenopausal women to values similar to those observed in regularly menstruating women. In ovariectomised women, the blood serotonin levels were inversely correlated with age (P < 0.01). In women with different serum oestradiol levels ranging 30-1335 pg/ml, a direct relationship was observed between serum oestradiol levels and whole blood serotonin levels (P < 0.001). It was concluded that whole blood serotonin concentration is reduced during menopause by suppression of ovarian function but may also be an effect of ageing.
PMID: 8412840 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Testosterone and aggressiveness.
Med Sci Monit. 2005 Apr;11(4):RA136-45. Epub 2005 Mar 24.

• Giammanco M, Tabacchi G, Giammanco S, Di Majo D, La Guardia M.

Institute of Physiology and Human Nutrition, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy. [email protected]


Aggressiveness is an ancestral behavior common to all animal species. Its neurophysiological mechanisms are similar in all vertebrates. Males are generally more aggressive than females. In this review, aggressive behavior in rodents, monkeys, and man and the role of testosterone and brain serotonin levels have been considered. Interspecific aggressiveness in rats has been studied considering the mouse-killing behavior; the neonatal androgenization of females increases adult mouse-killing as does the administration of testosterone in adults. Intraspecific aggressiveness was studied by putting two or more male rats (or mice) in the same cage; the condition of subjection or dominance is influenced by testosterone. In monkeys, testosterone is related to aggressiveness and dominance and, during the mating season, increases in testosterone levels and aggressive attitude are observed. In men, higher testosterone levels were obtained in perpetrators of violent crimes, in men from the army with antisocial behaviors, in subjects with impulsive behaviors, alcoholics and suicidals, in athletes using steroids , and during competitions. Aggressive and dominant behavior are distinguished. Testosterone influences both of these, even if man is usually inclined to affirm his power without causing physical damage. Testosterone receptors are mainly in some hypothalamic neurons, where it is aromatized into estrogens, which determine the increase in aggressiveness. A relation between testosterone levels and diencephalic serotonin has been shown: in fact, the lack of serotonin increases aggressive behaviors both in animals and man. Testosterone also increases ADH levels in the medial amygdala, lateral hypothalamus, and preoptical medial area, involved in aggressive behaviors.
PMID: 15795710 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]