Gonadal steroid-dependent neuronal circuitries in avian limbic and preoptic regions. |
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Authors: | G C Panzica C Viglietti-Panzica |
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Affiliation: | Department of Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Forensic Medicine, University of Torino, Italy. giancarlo.panzica@unito.it |
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Abstract: | In the avian limbic and preoptic region, the sexually dimorphic medial preoptic nucleus and nucleus of the stria terminalis are characterized by the presence of a testosterone-dependent aromatase-immunoreactive neuronal population. In situ hybridization studies confirmed that testosterone is modulating the expression of aromatase gene. Both nuclei are also characterized by a sexually dimorphic, testosterone-dependent vasotocin system. Immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization data, demonstrated that dimorphism and testosterone-sensitivity of this system are both dependent by an embryonic organizational effect of the estradiol. Intracerebroventricularly injected vasotocin, has a profound inhibitory effect on the male sexual behaviour, and immunocytochemical investigations revealed close associations among vasotocin fibres and aromatase cell bodies. These data suggest that this neuropeptidergic system could have a key role in the circuitries controlling different aspects of male reproductive behaviour in the Japanese quail. |
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