Structural Changes between Seasons in the Songbird Auditory Forebrain
Structural Changes between Seasons in the Songbird Auditory Forebrain
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DOI：
10.1523/jneurosci.1788-09.2009
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发表时间：
2009-10-28
影响因子：
5.3
通讯作者：
Van der Linden, Annemie
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
De Groof, Geert;Verhoye, Marleen;Van der Linden, Annemie
季节鸣禽的鸣叫控制系统(SCS)表现出明显的季节性可塑性。雄性八哥一年四季都在歌唱，但在繁殖季节，当睾丸激素浓度升高时，这种歌声具有高度的性动机。这项研究的主要目的是调查涉及听觉处理和社会性行为的区域的结构性季节性变化。利用体内扩散张量成像技术，对9只成年雄性八哥在繁殖期和非繁殖期的几个脑区的体积和组织特征进行了测量。我们证明鸣禽的大脑表现出一种极端的季节性可塑性，而不仅仅限于南海。体积分析显示了端脑体积的季节性变化，更重要的是，还显示了与哺乳动物次级听觉皮质类似的nidopallium(NCM)尾侧区域的体积变化。对DTI数据的分析可以检测到NCM和参与社会行为的地区的细胞属性的季节性变化。这项研究扩展了我们对季节性动态鸟类大脑的看法，它不仅磨练了它的歌唱控制系统，而且还磨练了听觉和社会系统，为繁殖季节做准备。
The song control system (SCS) of seasonal songbirds shows remarkable seasonal plasticity. Male starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) sing throughout the year, but in the breeding season, when concentrations of testosterone are elevated, the song is highly sexually motivated. The main goal of this study was to investigate structural seasonal changes in regions involved in auditory processing and in socio-sexual behavior. Using in vivo Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), we measured in breeding and nonbreeding seasons volume and tissue characteristics of several brain regions of nine adult male starlings. We demonstrate that the songbird brain exhibits an extreme seasonal plasticity not merely limited to the SCS. Volumetric analysis showed seasonal telencephalon volume changes and more importantly also a volumetric change in the caudal region of the nidopallium (NCM), a region analogous to the mammalian secondary auditory cortex. Analysis of the DTI data allowed detection of seasonal changes in cellular attributes in NCM and regions involved in social behavior. This study extends our view on a seasonally dynamic avian brain which not only hones its song control system but also auditory and social systems to be prepared for the breeding season.