The long term goal of this research program is to determine how the brain regulates reproductive behavior. The laboratory rat will be used as the model system for this work because the extensive work that has been done on this species makes it a valuable tool. Reproductive behavior is regulated by gonadal hormones which act within specific brain sites to bring about the behaviors that are required to maximize its reproductive potential. The experiments in this proposal focus on the biochemical and endocrinological events that must occur in these specific brain sites to translate the hormonal message into the program of integrated neural activity. Much of the proposed work is concerned with the effects of estrogen upon processes that regulate acetycholine action in the hypothalamus and midbrain. It would appear that estrogen is capable of modifying cholinergic activity in extensive brain regions, many of which have long been associated with emotionality as well as reproductive behavior. A better understanding of these basic neuroendocrine and biochemical brain processes will provide insight into many areas related to health including reproduction, emotionality and behavioral fluctuations that are associated with variations in gonadal hormones.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01HD006760-15
Application #
3310573
Study Section
Biochemical Endocrinology Study Section (BCE)
Project Start
1978-06-01
Project End
1991-05-31
Budget Start
1986-06-01
Budget End
1987-05-31
Support Year
15
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Michigan State University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
193247145
City
East Lansing
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48824
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Wagner, C K; Clemens, L G (1991) Projections of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus to the sexually dimorphic lumbosacral region of the spinal cord. Brain Res 539:254-62
Wagner, C K; Clemens, L G (1989) Perinatal modification of a sexually dimorphic motor nucleus in the spinal cord of the B6D2F1 house mouse. Physiol Behav 45:831-5
Wagner, C K; Clemens, L G (1989) Anatomical organization of the sexually dimorphic perineal neuromuscular system in the house mouse. Brain Res 499:93-100
Wee, B E; Clemens, L G (1989) Environmental influences on masculine sexual behavior in mice. Physiol Behav 46:867-72
Clemens, L G; Barr, P; Dohanich, G P (1989) Cholinergic regulation of female sexual behavior in rats demonstrated by manipulation of endogenous acetylcholine. Physiol Behav 45:437-42
Richmond, G; Clemens, L (1988) Ventromedial hypothalamic lesions and cholinergic control of female sexual behavior. Physiol Behav 42:179-82
Clemens, L G; Wee, B E; Weaver, D R et al. (1988) Retention of masculine sexual behavior following castration in male B6D2F1 mice. Physiol Behav 42:69-76
Wee, B E; Weaver, D R; Clemens, L G (1988) Hormonal restoration of masculine sexual behavior in long-term castrated B6D2F1 mice. Physiol Behav 42:77-82
Witcher, J A; Clemens, L G (1987) A prenatal source for defeminization of female rats is the maternal ovary. Horm Behav 21:36-43

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