Estrogen receptors in the avian brain: Survey reveals general distribution and forebrain areas unique to songbirds

Gahr, Manfred; Güttinger, Hans-Rudolf; Kroodsma, Donald E.

doi:10.1002/cne.903270109

Cited by 205 publications

(204 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Similarly, ER␣ are expressed in HVC (including the caudomedial portion) but are not found in the surrounding nidopallium in every songbird species studied to date, including whitecrowned sparrows (Gahr et al, 1993;Bernard et al, 1999;Metzdorf et al, 1999;Fusani et al, 2000); ER␤ mRNA has been found in caudomedial nidopallium of starlings but is not present in the song nuclei (Bernard et al, 1999). Unlike some songbird species, ERs are expressed only sparsely in the arcopallium dorsal to RA in white-crowned sparrows (Gahr et al, 1993).…”

Section: Osmotic Pump and Intracerebral Infusions Surgerymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Song learning, adult song behavior, and the underlying neural circuit are sensitive to sex steroids, and steroid receptors or their mRNA are present in all of the major song nuclei (see Fig. 1 A) (Arnold et al, 1976;Gahr et al, 1993;Nastiuk and Clayton, 1995;Smith et al, 1996;Bernard et al, 1999;Metzdorf et al, 1999;Soma et al, 1999b;Fusani et al, 2000;Kim et al, 2004). In seasonally breeding songbirds, there are pronounced hormone-driven seasonal changes in volume and neural morphology of song nuclei, which are accompanied by changes in stereotypy, duration, and production rate of song (Nottebohm, 1981;Ball et al, 2004;Brenowitz, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Steroid Hormones Act Transsynaptically within the Forebrain to Regulate Neuronal Phenotype and Song Stereotypy

Meitzen¹,

Moore²,

Lent³

et al. 2007

J. Neurosci.

102

164

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Steroid sex hormones induce dramatic seasonal changes in reproductive related behaviors and their underlying neural substrates in seasonally breeding vertebrates. For example, in adult white-crowned sparrows, increased Spring photoperiod raises circulating testosterone, causing morphological and electrophysiological changes in song-control nuclei, which modify song behavior for the breeding season. We investigated how photoperiod and steroid hormones induce these changes in morphology, electrophysiology, and behavior. Neurons in a song premotor nucleus, the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA), show increased intrinsic spontaneous firing rate and soma size when birds are in breeding condition. Using combinations of systemic and unilateral local intracerebral hormonal manipulations, we show that long-day photoperiod accelerates the effects of systemic testosterone on RA neurons via the estradiol-synthesizing enzyme aromatase (CYP19A1); these changes require inputs from the afferent song control nucleus HVC (used as a proper name) and steroid receptor activation within HVC; local coactivation of androgen and estrogen receptors (ARs and ERs, respectively) within HVC, but not RA, is sufficient to cause neuronal changes in RA; activation of ARs in RA is also permissive. Using bilateral local intracerebral hormone-receptor blockade, we found that ARs and ERs in the song-control nucleus HVC mediate systemic testosterone-induced changes in song stereotypy but not rate. This novel transsynaptic effect of gonadal steroids on activity and morphology of RA neurons is part of a concerted change in key premotor nuclei, enabling stereotyped song.

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Section: Osmotic Pump and Intracerebral Infusions Surgerymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Steroid Hormones Act Transsynaptically within the Forebrain to Regulate Neuronal Phenotype and Song Stereotypy

Meitzen¹,

Moore²,

Lent³

et al. 2007

J. Neurosci.

102

164

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Experiments have focused on the HVC because it is the first song control nucleus to grow in response to elevated systemic T , and because it expresses estrogen receptors (ER) (Figure 1; Gahr et al, 1993;Bernard et al, 1999;Metzdorf et al, 1999;Fusani et al, 2000). Androgen receptors (AR) or their mRNA are expressed in every song control nucleus and the syrinx, the avian vocal organ (Fig 1; Arnold et al, 1976;Gahr et al, 1993;Nastiuk and Clayton, 1995;Smith et al, 1996;Bernard et al, 1999;Metzdorf et al, 1999;Soma et al, 1999b;Fusani et al, 2000;Kim et al, 2004). AR immunoreactivity is elevated in the HVC of Gambel's white-crowned sparrows captured in the spring; AR immunoreactivity in other song control nuclei was not quantified (Soma et al, 1999b).…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Growth Photoperiod Increases Plasma T Levelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal-like growth and regression of the avian song control system: Neural and behavioral plasticity in adult male Gambel’s white-crowned sparrows

Meitzen

Thompson

2008

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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Birdsong is regulated by a series of discrete brain nuclei known as the song control system. In seasonally-breeding male songbirds, seasonal changes in steroid sex hormones regulate the structure and electrophysiology of song control system neurons, resulting in dramatic changes in singing behavior. Male songbirds can be brought into the laboratory, where circulating levels of steroid hormone and photoperiod can be abruptly manipulated, providing controlled conditions under which rapid "seasonal-like" changes in behavior and morphology can be carefully studied. In this minireview, we will discuss the steroidal and cellular mechanisms underlying seasonal-like growth and regression of the song control system in adult male Gambel's white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii), and its impact on song behavior. Specifically, we discuss recent advances concerning: 1) the role of androgen and estrogen receptors in inducing seasonal-like growth of the song control system; 2) how photoperiod modulates the time course of testosterone-induced growth of the song control system; 3) how bilateral intracerebral infusion of androgen and estrogen receptor antagonists near the song control nucleus HVC prevents seasonal-like increases in song stereotypy but not song rate; and 4) the steroidal and cellular mechanisms that mediate rapid regression of the song control system. Throughout this mini-review we compare data collected from white-crowned sparrows to that from other songbird species. We conclude by outlining avenues of future research.

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“…Andrews, 1991;Cynx and Nottebohm, 1992), and the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying these processes are beginning to be revealed. For example, androgen and oestrogen receptors and aromatase activity have been detected in the hippocampus of mammals and birds (Gahr et al, 1993;Kerr et al, 1995;Weiland et al, 1997;Saldanha et al, 1999), a brain area known to be involved in relational memory processes (e.g. declarative memory, Eichenbaum et al, 1992;Squire, 1992).…”

Section: The Adaptive Value Of Androgen Social Modulation: Androgens mentioning

confidence: 99%

Social modulation of androgen levels in male teleost fish

Oliveira

Hirschenhauser

Carneiro

et al. 2002

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry an

193

113

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Androgens are classically thought of as the sex steroids controlling male reproduction. However, in recent years evidence has accumulated showing that androgens can also be affected by the interactions between conspecifics, suggesting reciprocal interactions between androgens and behaviour. These results have been interpreted as an adaptation for individuals to adjust their agonistic motivation and to cope with changes in their social environment. Thus, malemale interactions would stimulate the production of androgens, and the levels of androgens would be a function of the stability of its social environment w'challenge hypothesis', Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 56 (1984) 417x. Here the available data on social modulation of androgen levels in male teleosts are reviewed and some predictions of the challenge hypothesis are addressed using teleosts as a study model. We investigate the causal link between social status, territoriality and elevated androgen levels and the available evidence suggests that the social environment indeed modulates the endocrine axis of teleosts. The association between higher androgen levels and social rank emerges mainly in periods of social instability. As reported in the avian literature, in teleosts the trade-off between androgens and parental care is indicated by the fact that during the parental phase breeding males decreased their androgen levels. A comparison of androgen responsiveness between teleost species with different mating and parenting systems also reveals that parenting explains the variation observed in androgen responsiveness to a higher degree than the mating strategy. Finally, the adaptive value of social modulation of androgens and some of its evolutionary consequences are discussed. ᮊ

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Estrogen receptors in the avian brain: Survey reveals general distribution and forebrain areas unique to songbirds

Cited by 205 publications

References 41 publications

Steroid Hormones Act Transsynaptically within the Forebrain to Regulate Neuronal Phenotype and Song Stereotypy

Steroid Hormones Act Transsynaptically within the Forebrain to Regulate Neuronal Phenotype and Song Stereotypy

Seasonal-like growth and regression of the avian song control system: Neural and behavioral plasticity in adult male Gambel’s white-crowned sparrows

Social modulation of androgen levels in male teleost fish

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