Structure-Function Studies of a Sonic (Acoustic) Motor System

在过去的十年中，一些模型系统已经被 研究试图了解细胞相关的 脊椎动物行为中的两性异形。 这在很大程度 工作集中在神经元和肌肉控制 社会沟通信号的产生， 在繁殖季节的繁殖行为。 校长 研究所有这些系统中的两性异形的优势 一首歌，一个电话，或者一个电， 器官分泌物--在外观上是固定的，很容易 由一组离散的肌肉控制， 中枢神经元 安德鲁·拜斯博士对结构感兴趣 生理学鉴定的细胞的功能研究， 两性异形 这个研究项目涉及一个 控制声音通信产生的电动机系统 鱼的信号 系统选择是鱼鳔或声波 海洋硬骨鱼的运动系统。 声音信号产生 由一组由中枢神经系统控制的肌肉 运动神经核可能与舌下神经运动神经核相似 四足动物的核。 拜斯博士发现了一种戏剧性的性爱 在大体和超微结构特征的差异， 在一组海洋动物中， 硬骨鱼，海军军官学校的学生，Porichthys notatus。 还有一个 行为上的性别差异，因为已知只有男性 声波。虽然这个研究项目的一个主要目标是 结构-功能组织表征 运动系统的男性海军学员，同样的研究将进行 与女性一起阐明系统中的两性异形。 这些研究将导致更好地描绘实验， 了解发展的细胞机制 脊椎动物大脑行为中的两性异形。

During the past decade a number of model systems have been studied in attempts to understand the cellular correlates of sexual dimorphisms in the behavior of vertebrates. Much of this work has focused on neurons and muscles controlling the production of social communication signals that play a major role in reproductive behavior during breeding seasons. The principal advantages in studying sexual dimorphisms in all of these systems is that the communication signal--a song, a call, or an electric organ discharge--is stereotyped in appearance, easily quantifiable and controlled by a discrete set of muscles and central neurons. Dr. Andrew Bass is interested in structure- function studies of physiologically identified cells which are sexually dimorphic. This research project concerns studies of a motor system controlling the production of sound communication signals in fishes. The system chosen is the swimbladder or sonic motor system of marine teleosts. The acoustic signal is produced by a single set of muscles which are controlled by a central motor nucleus that may be comparable to the hypoglossal motor nucleus of tetrapods. Dr. Bass has discovered a dramatic sex difference in the gross and ultrastructural features of the muscles controlling sound production in one group of marine teleosts, the midshipmen, Porichthys notatus. There is also a behavioral sex difference in that only males are known to be sonic. Although a major goal of this research project is characterization of structure-function organization in the sonic motor system of male midshipmen, the same studies will be carried out with females to elucidate sexual dimorphisms in the system. Such studies will lead to more well delineated experiments for understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying the development of sexual dimorphisms in the brain behavior of vertebrates.