RPG: Neuropeptide Control of Territorial Aggression

小行星9407691 摘要 本研究的目的是开发一个模型系统，研究神经内分泌控制的领土攻击行为的山刺蜥蜴Sceloporusjarrovi。 该物种的攻击行为是立体型的，但也有季节间和季节内的变化。 因此，这些蜥蜴提供了一个理想的系统，研究如何长期和短期的侵略等级可以生理控制，而动物在其自然环境中的行为。 这些研究的重点将是已知影响生殖行为的神经肽精氨酸催产素（AVT）。 在拟议的研究中采用的一项主要技术将是免疫细胞化学，通过使用图像分析技术，将用于比较显示不同攻击水平的动物大脑中AVT的浓度。 该技术还可以识别可能与攻击性的短期和长期变化以及AVT免疫反应细胞或纤维的任何形态变化相关的大脑区域。 由于季节性变化的自然模式的攻击和睾酮在S。Jarrovi的研究，也将有可能将睾酮和攻击性对脑内AVT-1 R表达的影响分开。 最后，人工增加AVT水平对领土侵略的影响将被检查，而动物是在其自然环境中。 这些研究将开始检查AVT是否影响强烈领土物种的攻击性，以及AVT与睾丸激素和攻击性的紧密耦合程度。

9407691 Marler ABSTRACT The goal of this research is to develop the mountain spiny lizard Sceloporus jarrovi as a model system for studying neuroendocrine control of territorial aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior in this species is sterotypic, but there is both interseasonal and intraseasonal variation. Thus these lizards provide an ideal system for investigating how long term and short term gradations in aggression can be physiologically controlled while the animals are behaving in their natural environment. The focus for these studies will be the neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) which is known to influence reproductive behavior. A primary technique employed in the proposed research will be immunocytochemistry, which, through the use of image analysis techniques, will be used to compare concentrations of AVT within the brains of animals displaying varying levels of aggression. This technique will also allow identification of brain regions that may be associated with short and long term changes in aggression, as well as any morphological changes in AVT immunoreactive cells or fibers. Because of seasonal variation in the natural patterns of aggression and testosterone in S. jarrovi it will also be possible to uncouple the effects of testosterone and aggression on the expression of AVT-ir within the brain. Finally, the effects of artificially increased levels of AVT on territorial aggression will be examined while the animal is in its natural environment. These studies will begin to examine if AVT influences aggression in a strongly territorial species and how tightly coupled AVT is with testosterone and aggression.