COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF VOCAL CONTROL

声音控制的比较研究

• 批准号: 2675262
• 负责人: ELIOT A BRENOWITZ
• 金额: $ 16.39万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 1995
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1995-04-01 至 2000-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2675262
• 关键词: Aves; animal communication behavior; autoradiography; behavioral /social science research tag; bioperiodicity; central neural pathway /tract; experimental brain lesion; field study; hormone regulation /control mechanism; male; neural plasticity; neuroanatomy; photostimulus; seasons; sex hormones; vocalization

A fundamental feature of nervous systems is that they provide plasticity of structure and function which allows animals to adapt to changes in their environment. We are only beginning to understand the underlying mechanisms, the limitations, and the behavioral consequences, such as learning, of naturally occurring plasticity in the brain. The song control system in the avian brain provides excellent opportunities for addressing such basic issues of behavioral neuroscience. Seasonal changes of environmental factors, such as photoperiod, have a profound effect on birds and most other animals. In songbirds seasonal changes in photoperiod elicit changes in circulating concentrations of gonadal steroid hormones, which in turn cause changes in song behavior and in morphological and physiological attributes of the neuroendocrine system that controls song. The goal of this proposal is to use a comparative approach to explore the proximate mechanisms and behavioral functions of seasonal plasticity in the avian song control system. The time course of changes in the morphology of song nuclei following changes in seasonal photoperiod will be examined in male canaries. Autoradiographic techniques will be used to determine whether seasonal changes in the cellular accumulation of gonadal steroid hormones underlie changes in the morphology of song nuclei in canaries. To test the hypothesis that seasonal changes in song nuclei depend on innervation from afferent nuclei, we will lesion nucleus HVC unilaterally in canaries and compare the morphology of the efferent nuclei RA and Area X ipsilateral and contralateral to the lesion following exposure to a breeding photoperiod. Song behavior, hormone concentrations, and song nuclei will be measured in wild Nuttal's white-crowned sparrows during and after the breeding season to test for seasonal changes in this subspecies. Using wild male song sparrows, song behavior, hormone concentrations, and song nuclei will be measured at four different times of year to test the hypothesis that seasonal changes in song production correlate with seasonal plasticity of the song nuclei. The results of the proposed studies will increase our understanding of steroid hormonal influences on the nervous system, and of the relationship between plasticity in the adult brain and learning.

神经系统的一个基本特征是它们提供可塑性 结构和功能的变化，使动物能够适应变化， 他们的环境。 我们才刚刚开始了解 机制、局限性和行为后果，例如 学习，大脑中自然发生的可塑性。 这首歌 鸟类大脑中的控制系统提供了极好的机会， 解决行为神经科学的基本问题。 季节变化 光周期等环境因素对生物多样性有着深远的影响 鸟类和大多数其他动物。 鸣禽的季节性变化 光周期引起性腺激素循环浓度的变化， 类固醇激素，这反过来又会导致歌曲行为的变化， 神经内分泌系统的形态和生理属性 控制着歌曲。 本提案的目标是使用比较 方法探讨的近机制和行为功能， 鸟类鸣唱控制系统的季节可塑性 的时间过程 季节变化后鸣唱核团形态的变化 将在雄性金丝雀中检查光周期。 自显影 技术将被用来确定是否季节性变化， 性腺类固醇激素的细胞积累是 金丝雀鸣唱核团的形态学。 为了验证这个假设， 鸣唱核团的季节性变化依赖于传入神经的支配 核，我们将在金丝雀单侧损伤HVC核， 同侧传出核RA和X区的形态， 在暴露于繁殖光周期后，病变的对侧。 鸣唱行为、激素浓度和鸣唱核将在 繁殖季节期间和之后的野生纳塔尔白冠麻雀 来测试这个亚种的季节变化 用狂野的雄性歌曲 麻雀，歌曲行为，激素浓度，和歌曲核将 在一年中的四个不同时间进行测量，以验证假设， 歌曲产生的季节性变化与 歌曲核心 建议的研究结果将增加我们的 了解类固醇激素对神经系统的影响， 成人大脑的可塑性和学习能力之间的关系。