neuroestrogens; bird; consummatory sexual behavior; medial preoptic area; bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
Abstract :
[en] Aromatization within the medial preoptic nucleus (POM) is essential for the expression of male copulatory behavior in Japanese quail. However, several nuclei within the social behavior network (SBN) also express aromatase. Whether aromatase in these loci participates in the behavioral activation is not known. Castrated male Japanese quail were implanted with 2 subcutaneous Silastic capsules filled with crystalline testosterone and with bilateral stereotaxic implants filled with the aromatase inhibitor Vorozole targeting the POM, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) or the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN). Control animals were implanted with testosterone and empty bilateral stereotaxic implants. Starting 2 days after the surgery, subjects were tested for the expression of consummatory sexual behavior (CSB) every other day for a total of 10 tests. They were also tested once for appetitive sexual behavior (ASB) as measured by the rhythmic cloacal sphincter movements displayed in response to the visual presentation of a female. CSB was drastically reduced when the Vorozole implants were localized in the POM, but not in the BST nor in the VMN. Birds with implants in the BST showed a longer latency to show CSB in the first 6 tests than controls, suggesting a role of the BST in the acquisition of the full copulatory ability. ASB was not significantly affected by aromatase blockade in any region. These data confirm the key role played by the POM in the control of male sexual behavior and suggest a minor role for aromatization in the BST or VMN.
Research center :
Giga-Neurosciences - ULiège
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior
Author, co-author :
de Bournonville, Marie-Pierre ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques
Vandries, Laura ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Biologie de la différenciation sexuelle du cerveau
Ball, Gregory
Balthazart, Jacques ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques
Cornil, Charlotte ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Biologie de la différenciation sexuelle du cerveau
Language :
English
Title :
Site-specific effects of aromatase inhibition on the activation of male sexual behavior in male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Publication date :
2019
Journal title :
Hormones and Behavior
ISSN :
0018-506X
eISSN :
1095-6867
Publisher :
Elsevier, Atlanta, United States - California
Volume :
108
Pages :
42-49
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
NIH - National Institutes of Health [US-MD] F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
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