The synergistic action of androgen and pituitary hormones involved in the expression of courtship behavior of urodele amphibian

在繁殖季节，性成熟的雄性蝾螈（Cynops pyrrhogaster）在求爱行为的早期阶段，在雌性伴侣面前摆动尾巴。这种行为是由垂体前激素催乳素（PRL）、垂体后激素精氨酸缩后素（AVT）、性类固醇激素雄激素等激素引起的。特别是雄激素是生殖行为表达的关键因素之一。本研究利用免疫组化技术，利用针对雄性蝾螈雄激素受体的特异性抗体，详细分析了雄性蝾螈中枢神经系统雄激素受体（AR）的定位。AR免疫阳性细胞广泛分布于整个大脑，包括求爱行为调节的各个区域。本研究结果为了解雄激素与其他激素因子的协同作用提供了信息。

In the breeding season, sexually developed male newt Cynops pyrrhogaster vibrates its tail in front of the female partner at an early stage of courtship behavior. This behavior is elicited by several hormonal factors such as anterior pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) and posterior pituitary hormone arginine vasotocin (AVT), and sex steroid hormone androgen. In particular, androgen is one of the crucial factors for expression of reproductive behavior. In this study, the detailed localization of androgen receptor (AR) in the central nervous system of sexually active male newt was analyzed by immunohistochemistry technique using the specific antibody against newt AR. AR-immunopositive cells were widely distributed throughout the brain including the various regions involved in the regulation of courtship behavior. The results obtained in this study serve the information for understanding the synergistic actions of androgen and other hormonal factors.