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Abstract :
[en] The conversion of testosterone by brain aromatase is necessary for the activation of several physiological responses and behaviors, including male sexual behavior. Brain-derived estrogens (neuroestrogens) are typically thought to participate to the long-term regulation of behavior by seasonal changes in circulating testosterone, while the moment-to-moment regulation of behavior in response to environmental/social cues would depend on neurotransmitter systems. Although this view fits with the transcriptional mode of action of sex steroids, it does not take into account their rapid actions initiated at the cell membrane. Using the Japanese quail as an animal model we have studied the dichotomy between these two modes of action of neuroestrogens and how they cooperate to the fine coordination of male sexual behavior within two distinct time frames. In parallel, we have contributed to show that brain estrogen production is also rapidly regulated by behaviorally relevant cues, thus providing a mechanism for fast and local regulation of estrogenic actions. More recently we have started to explore these questions in mice to map the circuits formed by aromatase expressing neurons.
