FIG. 2.

Representative examples of aromatase immunoreactive cells in the human brain. (A) Panoramic view of a section of the temporal cortex. Anti-aromatase immunoreactivity is observed in all cortical layers (1–6) and in the wm, but it is particularly intense in pyramidal cells of neocortical layers 2/3 and 5. In layer 1, aromatase immunoreactive cells, most of them with astrocyte morphology, are abundant in proximity of the pial surface (arrow). Female, 63 years old. (B) Cerebellar cortex. Intense immunoreactivity is observed in Purkinje neuronal perikarya in the PC and in their dendrites in the Mol, whereas granule cells are not immunoreactive. Immunoreactivity is also observed in interneurons in the molecular layer (arrowheads) and in a few neurons in the Gr (arrow), which may correspond to Golgi neurons. Male, 49 years old. (C) Pyramidal neurons in the Pyr of the hippocampal Ammon's horn CA1 region showing aromatase immunoreactivity in the perikaryon and in the basal and apical dendrites. Male, 65 years old. (D) Pyramidal neurons in the Pyr of the hippocampal Ammon's horn CA3 region showing aromatase immunoreactivity in the perikaryon and dendrites. Female, 43 years old. (E) Hippocampal dentate gyrus showing aromatase immunoreactivity in granule cell neurons in the Gr and a few interneurons in the Hil. Mol, molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. Female, 35 years old. All panels are from immunoperoxidase-stained sections using hydrogen peroxide as substrate and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride as chromogen. In (B), the reaction was intensified by adding a small amount of nickel chloride. Gr, granular layer; Hil, hilus; Mol, molecular layer; Or, Stratum oriens; PC, Purkinje cell layer; Pyr, pyramidal layer; Rad, Stratum radiatum; Wm, white matter.