The goal of this dissertation is to define the molecular mechanisms underlying estrogen-mediated regulation of physiological homeostasis. Estrogen exerts both rapid and long-lasting effects in the central nervous system through complex interactions with multiple signaling pathways, making its mechanisms of action difficult to delineate. By identifying hypothalamic genes and signaling pathways regulated by estrogen, this work aims to clarify how estrogen integrates and coordinates diverse physiological processes. A deeper understanding of these molecular effects will inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for disorders affecting fertility and homeostatic regulation.
