Reverse engineering the lordosis behavior circuit

Pfaff, Donald W.; Kow, Lee‐Ming; Loose, Michael D.; Flanagan‐Cato, Loretta M.

doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.03.012

Cited by 78 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…However, when multiple functions are combined to a single target tissue such as the brain, it is more of a challenge. Despite the fact that steroids have been directly implanted into the brain since the 1960s, there are still few examples that illustrate specialization of steroid action in multiple brain sites for the coordination of a single behavior (6). Our study illustrates how steroids can act on distinct cell groups to regulate separate components of a single behavioral response.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

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Differential effects of global versus local testosterone on singing behavior and its underlying neural substrate

Alward

Balthazart

Ball

2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

119

144

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Steroid hormones regulate multiple but distinct aspects of social behaviors. Testosterone (T) has multiple effects on learned courtship song in that it regulates both the motivation to sing in a particular social context as well as the quality of song produced. The neural substrate(s) where T acts to regulate the motivation to sing as opposed to other aspects of song has not been definitively characterized. We show here that T implants in the medial preoptic nucleus (POM) of castrated male canaries (Serinus canaria) increase song rate but do not enhance acoustic features such as song stereotypy compared with birds receiving peripheral T that can act globally throughout the brain. Strikingly, T action in the POM increased song control nuclei volume, consistent with the hypothesis that singing activity induces neuroplasticity in the song control system independent of T acting in these nuclei. When presented with a female canary, POM-T birds copulated at a rate comparable to birds receiving systemic T but produced fewer calls and songs in her presence. Thus, POM is a key site where T acts to activate copulation and increase song rate, an appetitive sexual behavior in songbirds, but T action in other areas of the brain or periphery (e.g., HVC, dopaminergic cell groups, or the syrinx) is required to enhance the quality of song (i.e., stereotypy) as well as regulate context-specific vocalizations. These results have broad implications for research concerning how steroids act at multiple brain loci to regulate distinct sociosexual behaviors and the associated neuroplasticity.activity-driven plasticity | singing motivation | preoptic area S teroid hormones such as testosterone (T) can have multiple effects on physiology, morphology, and behavior (1-4). These pleiotropic effects of steroids allow coordinating suites of traits into an organized functional response (5, 6). In the case of the regulation of behavior, both motivational and performance aspects of behavior as well cognitive components are often activated by the same hormone (2, 7). The neural sites of steroid action coordinating these distinct aspects of an integrated behavioral response have not been well characterized. In this study, we investigated the site of hormone action in relation to the activation of different aspects of birdsong to illustrate how such an integrated regulation can occur.Birdsong is a species-typical, stereotypic set of usually long, learned, complex vocalizations produced in reproductive contexts (8). A discrete network of interconnected brain nuclei orchestrates song learning and production (from here on called the song control system or SCS) (3, 9-11). Areas such as HVC (acronym is proper name) and the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) regulate the production of song, whereas areas such as Area X and LMAN are involved in song learning. These forebrain nuclei can undergo remarkable plasticity in response to seasonally changing T (12, 13; see refs. 2 and 14 for review). There is also evidence that other factors such as singing ac...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…These pleiotropic effects of steroids allow coordinating suites of traits into an organized functional response (5,6). In the case of the regulation of behavior, both motivational and performance aspects of behavior as well cognitive components are often activated by the same hormone (2,7).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential effects of global versus local testosterone on singing behavior and its underlying neural substrate

Alward

Balthazart

Ball

2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

119

144

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It has perhaps been most successfully applied to invertebrate models where specific genes regulated by steroids have been identified (Truman, 2005). Among vertebrates, studies of the lordosis circuit developed by Pfaff and colleagues has been one of the best examples illustrating how specific actions of estrogens at defined brain sites can be linked to behavior (Pfaff et al, 2008). However, even in this case there is still much to be learned (Pfaff et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal and hormonal modulation of neurotransmitter systems in the song control circuit

Ball

Balthazart

2010

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy

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“…In addition, binding of E2 to ERb activates genes for P4 receptor, and oxytocin and oxytocin receptor. In the POA, E2 binding to ERa upregulates GnRH and GnRH-R genes and downregulates prostaglandin-D synthase (summarized by Pfaff et al, 2008). Together, the products of these genes play a role in the induction of the behavioral expression of estrus.…”

Section: Genomic Regulation Of Estrous Behavior: Central Mechanisms Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Estrous behavior in dairy cows: identification of underlying mechanisms and gene functions

Bôer

Veerkamp

Beerda

et al. 2010

Animal

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Selection in dairy cattle for a higher milk yield has coincided with declined fertility. One of the factors is reduced expression of estrous behavior. Changes in systems that regulate the estrous behavior could be manifested by altered gene expression. This literature review describes the current knowledge on mechanisms and genes involved in the regulation of estrous behavior. The endocrinological regulation of the estrous cycle in dairy cows is well described. Estradiol (E2) is assumed to be the key regulator that synchronizes endocrine and behavioral events. Other pivotal hormones are, for example, progesterone, gonadotropin releasing hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1. Interactions between the latter and E2 may play a role in the unfavorable effects of milk yield-related metabolic stress on fertility in high milk-producing dairy cows. However, a clear understanding of how endocrine mechanisms are tied to estrous behavior in cows is only starting to emerge. Recent studies on gene expression and signaling pathways in rodents and other animals contribute to our understanding of genes and mechanisms involved in estrous behavior. Studies in rodents, for example, show that estrogen-induced gene expression in specific brain areas such as the hypothalamus play an important role. Through these estrogen-induced gene expressions, E2 alters the functioning of neuronal networks that underlie estrous behavior, by affecting dendritic connections between cells, receptor populations and neurotransmitter releases. To improve the understanding of complex biological networks, like estrus regulation, and to deal with the increasing amount of genomic information that becomes available, mathematical models can be helpful. Systems biology combines physiological and genomic data with mathematical modeling. Possible applications of systems biology approaches in the field of female fertility and estrous behavior are discussed.

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Reverse engineering the lordosis behavior circuit

Cited by 78 publications

References 36 publications

Differential effects of global versus local testosterone on singing behavior and its underlying neural substrate

Differential effects of global versus local testosterone on singing behavior and its underlying neural substrate

Seasonal and hormonal modulation of neurotransmitter systems in the song control circuit

Estrous behavior in dairy cows: identification of underlying mechanisms and gene functions

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