A NEW NEUROENDOCRINE MODEL OF SEASONAL BEHAVIORS

季节性行为的新神经内分泌模型

• 批准号: 6186524
• 负责人: MARY T MENDONCA
• 金额: $ 8.79万
• 依托单位: AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT AUBURN
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 1997
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1997-07-01 至 2002-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6186524
• 关键词: Chiroptera; adrenalectomy; arousal; behavioral /social science research tag; cold temperature; ethology; gonadotropin releasing factor; hibernation; hormone regulation /control mechanism; male castration; neuroendocrine system; ovariectomy; seasons; sex behavior; sex hormones

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.

描述(改编自申请人的摘要)：比较研究 生殖及其相关神经内分泌机制的研究进展 伴随而来的性行为。通过探索替代机制和比较 到既定的范例，人们可以解释哪些神经底物 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 没有经过研究。它们在繁殖模式上表现出极大的多样性 特别是蝙蝠，是一种很好的替代品。 研究影响生殖的神经内分泌机制的模型系统 他们的行为是由于他们独特的生活史特征造成的。他们有一个 分离的生殖模式，在性腺退化时交配 性激素是基础的，2)是异温的，性唤醒来自 冬眠是性行为的有力而快速的刺激器。 因此，外部提示(即温度变化)似乎被激活 性行为不依赖于性激素所起的经典作用。 初步数据显示，雄性和雌性大棕色蝙蝠，Eptesicus Fuscus是一种腹足类昆虫，可以交配数月(雄性至少6只，雄性18只 女性)在性腺切除后给予适当的温度方案。 这项建议的具体研究目标是检验假设 这个物种已经变得相对独立(如果不是完全的话) 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 旨在探索哪些替代神经内分泌机制可能是 更新性类固醇激活性功能障碍的经典机制 行为。 为了实现这些目标，将有两条相互交织的研究路线 已经成立了。其中一人将记录性行为表达的程度 男性和女性的行为是独立于性腺激素的 在季节周期的不同时间点摘除性腺以及 去除性类固醇在性腺外的可能来源。更替性行为 将在这些点给予类固醇，以确定其疗效 在动物身上恢复这种行为。第二行将记录 麻木和觉醒的模式以及性激素变化与 这些州。它还将决定暴露在什么程度上的低 温度(或进入迟钝状态)确保表达 交配以及性激素的存在或不存在如何改变这一点。 初步实验将给予脑室内剂量的 GnRH拮抗剂和激动剂开始测试这是否是一种潜在的 连接冬眠唤醒和交配的神经内分泌机制 物种。