ROW: Influence of Vasotocin and Angiotensin II on Dehydration-related Behavior

精氨酸催产素和血管紧张素II是影响许多脊椎动物水分平衡的抗利尿激素。由于水对生存至关重要，了解这些激素如何增强水分吸收是至关重要的。虽然大多数脊椎动物都有固定的、可预测的水源供应，但沙漠动物生活在恶劣的条件下，它们的生存依赖于寻找、获取和保存水的能力。这些物种进化出了保持水分的机制，使它们能够在这些恶劣的条件下生存。普罗珀博士选择了两个基因背景不同但生活在同样恶劣环境中的物种。她将结合行为学、神经解剖学和内分泌技术来确定这两种神经肽如何影响两种不同沙漠物种的水平衡。Propper博士将定义精氨酸缩宫素和血管紧张素11的行为反应，定位这些神经肽的神经结合；然后确定环境变化如何影响大脑和血浆浓度。通过比较遗传背景不同的物种对激素的影响，她可以确定是否类似的神经内分泌机制被用来管理脊椎动物一般的水平衡。

Arginine vasotocin and angiotensin II are antidiuretic hormones that influence water balance in many vertebrates. Since water is critical for survival, understanding how these hormones enhance water-absorption is critical. While most vertebrates have a regular and predictable water supply, desert animals live in harsh conditions in which survival is dependent upon the ability to find, obtain and conserve water. These species have evolved mechanisms of water retention which allows them to survive under these uncharitable conditions. Dr. Propper has selected two species that differ in genetic background but live within the same austere environment. She will employ a combination of behavioral, neuroanatomical and endocrine techniques to determine how these two neuropeptides influence water balance in two distinct desert species. Dr. Propper will define the behavioral responses to arginine vasotocin and angiotensin 11, localize the neural binding of these neuropeptides; and then determine how environmental changes influence the brain and plasma concentrations. By comparing the hormonal effects species that differ in their genetic background, she can determine whether similar neuroendocrine mechanisms are employed to manage water balance in vertebrates in general.