A NEW NEUROENDOCRINE MODEL OF SEASONAL BEHAVIORS

描述（改编自申请人摘要）：比较研究 阐明生殖的交替神经内分泌机制及其 伴随的性行为。 通过探索替代机制并比较 他们建立范式，可以阐明哪些神经基板 是表达这些行为的基础和关键。 蝙蝠是 哺乳动物中第二多产的辐射，但它们仍然相对 未经研究。 它们的繁殖方式有很大的差异， 尤其是蝙蝠， 研究影响生殖的神经内分泌机制的模型系统 由于其生活史的独特性。 （1）A 分离的繁殖模式，当性腺退化时交配， 性类固醇是基础的，2）是异温性的， 冬眠是性行为的一种有效而迅速的刺激物。 因此，外部提示（即温度变化）似乎激活了 性行为独立于性类固醇的经典作用。 初步数据显示，雄性和雌性大棕蝠， fuscus，一种蝙蝠科动物，可以交配几个月（雄性至少6个月，雌性至少18个月）。 女性）在性腺切除术后，给予适当的温度方案。 本建议书的具体研究目标是检验假设 这个物种已经1）变得相对独立（如果不是完全独立的话） 性类固醇作为生殖行为和性行为的激活剂 行为 如果这些假设得到支持，PI建议从 点探索哪些替代神经内分泌机制可能是 取代了性类固醇激活性激素的经典机制， 行为 为了实现这些目标，将进行两条相互交织的研究路线， 确立了习 一个人将记录性表达的程度， 男性和女性的行为独立于性腺性类固醇， 在季节周期的不同时间点切除性腺， 去除可能的性腺外性类固醇来源。 替代性别 类固醇将在这些时间点给予，以确定其疗效， 恢复动物的行为。 第二行将记录 麻木和觉醒的模式，以及性类固醇如何在 这些国家。 它还将确定什么程度的暴露于低 温度（或进入休眠状态）确保表达 交配以及性类固醇的存在与否对交配的影响。 初步实验将在脑室内注射 GnRH拮抗剂和激动剂开始测试，如果这是潜在的 神经内分泌机制连接唤醒从冬眠和交配在这个 物种

DESCRIPTION (adapted from applicant's abstract): Comparative studies shed light on alternate neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying reproduction and its attendant sexual behaviors. By exploring alternate mechanisms and comparing them to the established paradigm, one can illuminate which neural substrates are basic and critical tot he expression of these behaviors. Bats are the second most prolific radiation of mammals yet they remain relatively unstudied. They display great diversity in their reproductive patterns and vespertilionid bats, in particular, constitute an excellent alternative model system to study neuroendocrine mechanisms affecting reproductive behavior due to unique features of their life history. They 1) have a dissociated pattern of reproduction, mating when gonads are regressed and sex steroids are basal, and 2) are heterothermic, with arousal from hibernation being a potent and rapid stimulator of sexual behavior. Therefore, an external cue (i.e. temperature change) appears to activate sexual behavior independent of the classical role played by sex steroids. Preliminary data indicate that male and female big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus, a vespertilionid, can mate months (at least 6 for males and 18 for females) after gonadectomy when given the proper temperature regimen. The specific research objectives of this proposal are to test the hypotheses that this species has 1) become relatively (if not completely) independent of sex steroids as an activator of reproductive behavior and sexual behavior. If these hypotheses are supported, the PI proposes a starting point to explore which alternative neuroendocrine mechanisms may be replacing the classic mechanism of sex steroid activation of sexual behavior. To achieve these objectives, two intertwined lines of research will be established. One will document the extent to which the expression of sexual behavior by males and females is independent from gonadal sex steroids by removal of gonads at different points in the seasonal cycle as well as removal of possible extragonadal sources of sex steroids. Replacement sex steroids will be given at these points to determine their efficacy in re-instating the behavior in animals. The second line will document the pattern of torpor and arousal and how sex steroids change in relation to these states. It will also determine what degree of exposure to low temperature (or entrance into a torpid state) insures the expression of mating and how this is modified by the presence or absence of sex steroids. Preliminary experiments will administer intracerebroventricular doses of GnRH antagonist and agonist to begin testing if this is a potential neuroendocrine mechanism linking arousal from hibernation and mating in this species.