The research projects to be conducted concern the cellular processes by which progesterone and afferent tactile input derived from mating influence steroid hormone-sensitive neurons in the brains of female rats, resulting in changes in estrous behaviors. Regulation of estrous behavior in female rats is used as a model, because the ovarian steroid hormones, estradiol and progesterone have robust, predictable and well-studied interactions; estradiol increases behavioral response to progesterone, and progesterone facilitates the expression of estrous behaviors, and it then desensitizes the animal to further response. The effects of mating stimulation on progesterone-sensitive neurons will be studied, as this class of external environmental stimulation has robust effects on steroid hormone-dependent physiological and behavioral events. A variety of approaches from behavioral and neuroanatomical to cellular will be used to clarify the processes by which ovarian steroid hormones regulate the brain, primarily using this hormonally-regulated behavior as a model. A variety of techniques will be used including behavioral observation to determine the effects of particular hormonal, pharmacological and behavioral manipulations on this system, immunocytochemistry for identifying neurons containing steroid hormone receptors and/or that are responsive to particular hormonal, drug or behavioral treatments, in situ hybridization to examine mRNA levels for the steroid hormone receptors, and antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit selectively synthesis of progestin receptors and protein products of immediate early genes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Scientist Award (K05)
Project #
5K05MH001312-04
Application #
6185494
Study Section
Psychobiology, Behavior, and Neuroscience Review Committee (PBN)
Project Start
1997-09-30
Project End
2001-04-30
Budget Start
2000-05-01
Budget End
2001-04-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$112,809
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
153223151
City
Amherst
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01003
Turcotte, Joanne C; Hunt, Peter J B; Blaustein, Jeffrey D (2005) Estrogenic effects of zearalenone on the expression of progestin receptors and sexual behavior in female rats. Horm Behav 47:178-84
Blaustein, Jeffrey D (2004) Minireview: Neuronal steroid hormone receptors: they're not just for hormones anymore. Endocrinology 145:1075-81
Blaustein, Jeffrey D (2003) Progestin receptors: neuronal integrators of hormonal and environmental stimulation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1007:238-50
Greco, Beatrice; Blasberg, Meg E; Kosinski, Eric C et al. (2003) Response of ERalpha-IR and ERbeta-IR cells in the forebrain of female rats to mating stimuli. Horm Behav 43:444-53
Greco, Beatrice; Lubbers, Laura S; Blaustein, Jeffrey D (2003) Estrogen receptor beta messenger ribonucleic acid expression in the forebrain of proestrous, pregnant, and lactating female rats. Endocrinology 144:1869-75
Bennett, A L; Greco, B; Blasberg, M E et al. (2002) Response to male odours in progestin receptor- and oestrogen receptor-containing cells in female rat brain. J Neuroendocrinol 14:442-9
Blaustein, J D; Greco, B (2002) A progestin antagonist blocks vaginocervical stimulation-induced fos expression in neurones containing progestin receptors in the rostral medial preoptic area. J Neuroendocrinol 14:109-15
Bennett, Amy L; Blasberg, Meg E; Blaustein, Jeffrey D (2002) Mating stimulation required for mating-induced estrous abbreviation in female rats: effects of repeated testing. Horm Behav 42:206-11
Quysner, A; Blaustein, J D (2001) A dopamine antagonist blocks vaginocervical stimulation-induced neuronal responses in the rat forebrain. Brain Res 921:173-82
Auger, A P; Meredith, J M; Snyder, G L et al. (2001) Oestradiol increases phosphorylation of a dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein (DARPP-32) in female rat brain. J Neuroendocrinol 13:761-8

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