Biopsychology of Reproduction

虽然已知卵巢和肾上腺类固醇激素是 参与生殖行为的调节， 问题仍然是雄激素和 雌激素游戏 虽然曾经被认为是一个简单的问题， 现在，由于发现睾丸激素，主要的 雄激素在外周和神经系统中代谢为雌激素， 组织中 由于越来越多的证据表明 雄激素在女性行为表达中的作用 无论是人类还是灵长类动物， 调节每个功能的激素。 瑞斯曼博士 开发了一个模型系统来研究这个重要问题。 她 使用一种小型原始哺乳动物的成员 食虫目动物有许多惊人的特征， 对人类 里斯曼博士设计了一系列实验， 确定雄激素是直接作用还是通过其神经 代谢为雌激素。 一旦她得到这些信息，博士。 里斯曼将确定大脑中激素 就是演戏 这些研究将提供重要信息 对理解潜在的神经机制有帮助。 此外，这项工作可能是非常有益的处方 激素治疗绝经后妇女和妇女谁有 他们的卵巢和/或肾上腺因医疗目的而被切除。

While it is known that ovarian and adrenal steroid hormones are involved in the regulation of reproductive behaviors, the question remains as to the specific role that androgen and estrogen play. While once considered a straightforward question, it is now complicated by the finding that testosterone, the major androgen, is metabolized into estrogen in peripheral and neural tissues. Since strong evidence is accumulating to suggest a function for androgen in expression of female behavior in both humans and primates, it becomes imperative to know the identity of the hormone mediating each function. Dr. Rissman has developed a model system to examine this important question. She uses members of a small primitive mammalian species of the order of Insectivora which have a number of striking features similar to humans. Dr. Rissman has designed a series of experiments to determine whether androgen is acting directly or by its neural metabolism to estrogen. Once she has this information, Dr. Rissman will define the location in the brain where the hormone is acting. These studies will provide important information towards understanding the underlying neural mechanisms. Moreover, this work could be very beneficial in prescribing hormonal therapy for postmenopausal women and women who have had their ovaries and/or adrenals removed for medical purposes.