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

脊椎动物的声音交流是一种 显示出性二态特征（即，雄性和 女性是不同的）。 拜斯博士选择研究硬骨鱼 鱼类作为这种行为的模型系统。 在 被研究的物种雄性发出声音， 吸引雌性到巢中，但没有这样的行为是在 女性 以前的研究表明， 发声的行为性别差异与 肌肉和神经元的解剖学和生理学特征 构成了声波运动通路 拟议研究 将研究这些差异的潜在基础。 的 神经细胞的电生理特性参与 将对这些答复进行分析。 其形态特征和 该系统中特定神经细胞的化学性质将 被识别。 睾酮引起的变化， 活性类固醇激素，将在生理上和 从解剖学上讲 这些研究将有助于基础 了解类固醇激素在调节 神经细胞功能和性分化行为 脊椎动物

Vocal communication in vertebrate animals is one behavior that displays sexually dimorphic characteristics (i.e., males and females are different). Dr. Bass has chosen to study teleost fishes as a model system of this type of behavior. In the species to be studied males generate vocalizations in order to attract females to the nest, but no such behavior is seen in the females. In previous studies it has been shown that the behavioral sex differences in vocalizations are correlated with anatomical and physiological traits of the muscles and neurons that comprise the sonic motor pathway. The proposed research will study the underlying basis of these differences. The electrophysiological properties of the nerve cells involved in these responses will be analysed. The morphological features and the chemical nature of specific nerve cells in this system will be identified. Changes induced by testosterone, a reproductively active steroid hormone, will be measured both physiologically and anatomically. These studies will contribute to fundamental knowledge about the role of steroid hormones in the regulation of nerve cell function and sexually differentiated behaviors in vertebrates.