Brain Distribution and Sexually Dimorphic Expression of Amylin in Different Reproductive Stages of the Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) Suggest Roles of the Neuropeptide in Song Learning and Social Behaviour

Zachár, Gergely; Montagnese, Catherine M.; Fazekas, Emese A.; Kemecsei, Róbert; Papp, Szilvia; Dóra, Fanni; Renner, Éva; Csillag, András; Pogány, Ákos; Dobolyi, Árpád

doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.01401

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Social learning was not at all studied in parallel with song learning. This was surprising considering that song learning is a social process and the two domains have been associated with the same brain functions (Bosikova et al 2010 ; Zachar et al 2020 ). Overall, this knowledge gap provides one of the directions for future research, namely to investigate relationships between song learning and social learning domains.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What do zebra finches learn besides singing? Systematic mapping of the literature and presentation of an efficient associative learning test

Gudowska

Rutkowska

2023

Anim Cogn

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The process of learning in birds has been extensively studied, with a focus on species such as pigeons, parrots, chickens, and crows. In recent years, the zebra finch has emerged as a model species in avian cognition, particularly in song learning. However, other cognitive domains such as spatial memory and associative learning could also be critical to fitness and survival, particularly during the intensive juvenile period. In this systematic review, we provide an overview of cognitive studies on zebra finches, with a focus on domains other than song learning. Our findings indicate that spatial, associative, and social learning are the most frequently studied domains, while motoric learning and inhibitory control have been examined less frequently over 30 years of research. All of the 60 studies included in this review were conducted on captive birds, limiting the generalizability of the findings to wild populations. Moreover, only two of the studies were conducted on juveniles, highlighting the need for more research on this critical period of learning. To address this research gap, we propose a high-throughput method for testing associative learning performance in a large number of both juvenile and adult zebra finches. Our results demonstrate that learning can occur in both age groups, thus encouraging researchers to also perform cognitive tests on juveniles. We also note the heterogeneity of methodologies, protocols, and subject exclusion criteria applied by different researchers, which makes it difficult to compare results across studies. Therefore, we call for better communication among researchers to develop standardised methodologies for studying each cognitive domain at different life stages and also in their natural conditions.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What do zebra finches learn besides singing? Systematic mapping of the literature and presentation of an efficient associative learning test

Gudowska

Rutkowska

2023

Anim Cogn

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“…A similar gene expression study in zebra finch or any other avian species has not been performed previously. Although some individual genes have been addressed in birds as far as caring behaviour [95][96][97], we often had to refer to mammalian functions of the DEGs Any gene whose expression level is altered in the post-hatching period is a candidate to play a role in maternal adaptation. Since zebra finches do not lactate [22], the likely function of the DEGs is in the control of caring behaviours.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transcriptomics of Parental Care in the Hypothalamic–Septal Region of Female Zebra Finch Brain

Kumari

Fazekas

Morvai

et al. 2022

IJMS

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(1) Background: The objective of this study was to uncover genomic causes of parental care. Since birds do not lactate and, therefore, do not show the gene expressional changes required for lactation, we investigate gene expression associated with parenting in caring and non-caring females in an avian species, the small passerine bird zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). Here, we compare expression patterns in the hypothalamic–septal region since, previously, we showed that this area is activated in parenting females. (2) Methods: Transcriptome sequencing was first applied in a dissected part of the zebra finch brain related to taking care of the nestlings as compared to a control group of social pairs without nestlings. (3) Results: We found genes differentially expressed between caring and non-caring females. When introducing a log2fold change threshold of 1.5, 13 annotated genes were significantly upregulated in breeding pairs, while 39 annotated genes were downregulated. Significant enrichments of dopamine and acetylcholine biosynthetic processes were identified among upregulated pathways, while pro-opiomelanocortin and thyroid hormone pathways were downregulated, suggesting the importance of these systems in parental care. Network analysis further suggested neuro-immunological changes in mothers. (4) Conclusions: The results confirm the roles of several hypothesized major pathways in parental care, whereas novel pathways are also proposed.

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“…Amylin may also be involved in parental care and pair‐bond formation in birds; in zebra finch, of which males only sing for courtship, amylin expression is higher in paired males than in unpaired males or females in song learning‐related brain areas, such as the HVC (high vocal center) and area X, as well as in the MPOA 259 . Together with the pioneering reports in rats, 229,230 amylin in the MPOA appears to be involved in parental care and reproduction‐associated affiliative sociality, even though its regulation is species‐specific.…”

Section: Beyond Maternal Care Toward Complex Affiliative Socialitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental brain through time: The origin and development of the neural circuit of mammalian parenting

Kuroda,

Fukumitsu,

Kurachi

et al. 2024

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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This review consolidates current knowledge on mammalian parental care, focusing on its neural mechanisms, evolutionary origins, and derivatives. Neurobiological studies have identified specific neurons in the medial preoptic area as crucial for parental care. Unexpectedly, these neurons are characterized by the expression of molecules signaling satiety, such as calcitonin receptor and BRS3, and overlap with neurons involved in the reproductive behaviors of males but not females. A synthesis of comparative ecology and paleontology suggests an evolutionary scenario for mammalian parental care, possibly stemming from male‐biased guarding of offspring in basal vertebrates. The terrestrial transition of tetrapods led to prolonged egg retention in females and the emergence of amniotes, skewing care toward females. The nocturnal adaptation of Mesozoic mammalian ancestors reinforced maternal care for lactation and thermal regulation via endothermy, potentially introducing metabolic gate control in parenting neurons. The established maternal care may have served as the precursor for paternal and cooperative care in mammals and also fostered the development of group living, which may have further contributed to the emergence of empathy and altruism. These evolution‐informed working hypotheses require empirical validation, yet they offer promising avenues to investigate the neural underpinnings of mammalian social behaviors.

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Brain Distribution and Sexually Dimorphic Expression of Amylin in Different Reproductive Stages of the Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) Suggest Roles of the Neuropeptide in Song Learning and Social Behaviour

Cited by 6 publications

References 68 publications

What do zebra finches learn besides singing? Systematic mapping of the literature and presentation of an efficient associative learning test

What do zebra finches learn besides singing? Systematic mapping of the literature and presentation of an efficient associative learning test

Transcriptomics of Parental Care in the Hypothalamic–Septal Region of Female Zebra Finch Brain

Parental brain through time: The origin and development of the neural circuit of mammalian parenting

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