Electrochemical characterization of 17β-estradiol with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry

Abstract

We have developed a sensitive and stable electrochemical method for 17β-estradiol (E2) detection using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV). Recently, E2 was proposed to function as a rapid synaptocrine signaling molecule in the brain; however, methods to directly monitor subsecond fluctuations in E2 are currently unavailable, limiting our understanding of the dynamics and mechanism of rapid E2 release. FSCV at carbon-fiber microelectrodes enables subsecond detection of electroactive neurochemicals directly in tissues like the brain. Here, we have electrochemically characterized E2 using FSCV for use in a tissue matrix. The limit of detection of E2 is 31.2±2.5 nM with FSCV, which will enable low nanomolar fluctuations in extracellular E2 to be monitored with hundred millisecond temporal resolution. We also identify specific parameters for waveform modification to improve future detection. This method will significantly improve E2 sensing capabilities and will have far-reaching impacts on improving our understanding of dynamic E2 signaling in the brain.