Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 878.5 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | ANDROGEN RECEPTORS CORRELATE WITH MONOGAMOUS BEHAVIORS IN MALE PRAIRIE VOLES. |
| Authors: |
Epperson, P. D.*1
; Carter, C. S.1
; Hoffman, G. E.2
; Murphy, A. Z.2
; Cushing, B. S.1
1Psychiatry, Univ. Ill-Chicago, Chicgo, IL 2Univ. Maryland-Baltimore, Baltimore, MD |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Reproductive Behavior |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Neuroethology<br />-- Comparative Anatomy and Brain Evolution |
| Session: |
878. Reproductive behavior IV Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Thursday, November 7, 2002 8:00 AM-9:00 AM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 Q-23 |
| Keywords: | mating strategy, social behavior, immunocytochemistry, Microtus ochrogaster |
The Challenge Hypothesis argued that testosterone (T) plays a major role in establishing reproductive strategies and, since its inception, numerous empirical studies have supported this hypothesis. Testosterone (T) regulates male reproductive behavior by acting through androgen receptors (AR), or via estrogen receptors (ER) when T is aromatized to estrogen. To examine the relationship between steroid receptors and mating strategy, we used prairie voles as a model system. Prairie vole exhibit distinct population differences, with voles from Illinois (IL) being highly social, forming pair bonds and bi-parental care, and classified as monogamous, while Kansas (KN) voles are less social and display polygynous characteristics. Cushing et al. (SFN abst 957.13, 2001) showed an inverse relationship between ERα and social behavior, with KN males displaying significantly more ERα in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and medial amygdala (mAMY), limbic areas associated with reproduction and social behavior. The present study compared expression of androgen receptors (AR) in IL and KN males. Brains of sexually naïve adult males were fixed, sectioned at 30 um, and free-floating sections stained for AR (N-20, Santa Cruz). The number of cells expressing AR immunoreactivity (AR-IR) by population was determined using image analysis. These data reveal significantly more AR-IR in IL versus KN males in the BST and mAMY. Theses results, combined with the previous study indicate that modifications in steroid receptors may underlie the expression of social traits, including those that define monogamy.
Supported by MH01992, HD38490
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
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