Novel female sex‐dependent actions of oestrogen in the intestine

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Abstract
The intestine is an oestrogen responsive organ and circulatory oestrogens suppress Cl− secretion across the epithelium of the colon to promote fluid retention at the luteal stage of the menstrual cycle. Ion transporters in the colon which are involved in Cl− secretion show differential expression between males and females as do the signalling protein kinase intermediates involved in acutely regulating these transporters. Work from our laboratory has identified the KCNQ1/KCNE3 channel as one of the principal targets for oestrogen‐induced signalling cascades in the distal colon. Through inhibition of the KCNQ1 channel, basolateral K+ recycling is decreased so reducing the favourable electrochemical gradient for Cl− extrusion at the apical membrane. The actions of oestrogen on non‐reproductive tissues such as the colon, kidney, lung and sweat gland will affect whole body electrolyte and fluid homeostasis and also have consequences for reproductive potential.

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