RPG: Investigation of the Androgenic Basis for Male-Like Females in the Salamander Genus Aneides

9306523 Staub这项研究计划资助的目标是描述内分泌机制的正常表达的雄性样第二性征的女性的几个物种的蝾螈属。 该项目测试了以下假设：在几种Aneides的雌性中表达这些雄性样特征是相对于缺乏这些特征的雌性，靶组织中循环血浆雄激素或雄激素受体水平较高的结果。 为了实现这一点，计划进行以下研究：1）记录雄性和雌性下颌肌肉组织的第二性征，2）表征雄性和雌性下颌肌肉组织中的雄激素受体，3）测定雄性和雌性循环血浆雄激素和雌激素水平。 结果将在系统发育框架中进行分析，目的是了解内分泌变化如何解释内属内的显着形态变化。 在某些蝾螈物种中，雌性表现出类似雄性的特征，例如下巴肌肉组织扩大。 拟议的研究的目标是描述这些特征的表达在女性的几个物种的蝾螈属Aneides的激素基础。 拟议的项目测试的假设，女性的这些男性样特征的表达是一个结果，较高水平的雄激素（如睾酮）或雄激素受体的下巴肌肉组织相对于女性缺乏这些特征。 拟议的研究1）比较男性和女性下颌肌肉组织，2）检查男性和女性下颌肌肉组织中雄激素受体结合的水平，3）调查男性和女性循环性激素（雄激素和雌激素）的水平。 拟议项目的主要意义在于，它将提供有关雄激素在正常女性特征发育中的作用的信息，这一作用相对而言尚未探索。 ***

9306523 Staub The goal of this research planning grant is to describe the endocrinological mechanisms underlying the normal expression of male-like secondary sexual characteristics in females of several species in the salamander genus Aneides. The project tests the hypothesis that the expression of these male-like traits in females of several species of Aneides is a consequence of higher levels of circulating plasma androgens or androgen receptors in target tissues relative to females which lack these traits. To accomplish this, the following studies are planned: 1) documentation of the secondary sexual characteristics of the jaw musculature of males and females, 2) characterization of the androgen receptors in the jaw musculature of males and females, and 3) determination of levels of circulating plasma androgens and estrogens in males and females. Results will be analyzed in a phylogenetic framework with the goal of understanding how endocrinological variation can explain the dramatic morphological variation expressed within the genus Aneides. In some salamander species, females express male-like traits, such as enlarged jaw musculature. The goal of the proposed research is to describe the hormonal basis of the expression of these traits in females of several species in the salamander genus Aneides. The proposed project tests the hypothesis that the expression of these male-like traits in females is a consequence of higher levels of androgens (e.g. testosterone) or androgen receptors in the jaw musculature relative to females which lack these traits. The proposed research 1) compares male and female jaw musculature, 2) examines levels of androgen receptor binding in the jaw musculature of males and females, and 3) surveys levels of circulating sex hormones (androgens and estrogens) in males and females. The primary significance of the proposed project is that it will provide information on the role of androgens in the development of normal female characteristics, a role that has remained relatively unexplored. ***