Hormones and Phenotypic Integration: Comparing Sexes, Individuals and Populations

激素和表型整合：性别、个体和群体的比较

• 批准号: 0820055
• 负责人: Ellen Ketterson
• 金额: $ 57万
• 依托单位: Indiana University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-08-15 至 2013-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0820055&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Hormones; Phenotypic; Integration; Comparing; Sexes

Hormones integrate behavior and physiology by responding to environmental signals and altering gene expression in target tissues in the brain and the body. However, when the environment of a species changes, the most adaptive response might be to lose hormone sensitivity at some of the target tissues. An open question is whether hormone-mediated traits can be decoupled in such a way. This research will focus on the steroid hormone testosterone and its integrating effect on the behavior and physiology of males and females of a songbird species, the dark-eyed junco. The relative importance of phenotypic integration or independence of hormonally mediated traits has significant implications for the evolution of life histories, sex differences, and the formation of new species.The research will help to train future scientists of diverse backgrounds in the conduct of laboratory and field research that combines techniques and perspectives from multiple disciplines. Potential societal implications of the research include greater knowledge of the impact of hormonally active agents in the environment, and the ability of natural populations to respond effectively to environments altered by climate change.

荷尔蒙通过对环境信号的反应和改变大脑和身体目标组织中的基因表达，将行为和生理整合在一起。然而，当一个物种的环境发生变化时，最适应的反应可能是某些目标组织失去激素敏感性。一个悬而未决的问题是，荷尔蒙介导的特征能否以这种方式脱钩。这项研究将集中在类固醇激素睾酮及其对鸣鸟物种黑眼雄鸟雄性和雌性行为和生理的整合作用。激素调节性状的表型整合或独立性的相对重要性对生活史的进化、性别差异和新物种的形成具有重要意义。这项研究将有助于培养具有不同背景的未来科学家进行结合多学科技术和视角的实验室和田间研究。这项研究的潜在社会影响包括更多地了解荷尔蒙活性物质对环境的影响，以及自然人口有效应对气候变化改变环境的能力。