The objective of this research is to understand how social interactions are translated into functional changes into the brain. Both androgens and glucocorticoids are known to modulate peptic gonadotropin (GnRH-I) neurons in this model system, the male teleost fish Haplochromis burtoni. However, the mechanisms through which these steroid hormones regulate GnRH-I expression are not known.
The specific aims are: (1) To discover whether and how a change in social status affects the distribution and expression levels of brain androgen and glucocorticoid receptors, and to discover whether preoptic neurons of H. burtoni co-express androgen and/or glucocorticoid receptors along with GnRH-I. (2) To examine whether differences in social status regulated GnRH-I transcription. These experiments are important because they will provide a foundation for a molecular understanding of how social status and neuroendocrine feedback are integrated at a specific site through the control of a particular gene. By combining neuroanatomical and molecular analyses with manipulation of the animal's social status, these experiments all add significantly to our understanding of how hormonal information is integrated with social information at preoptic GnRH neurons. Since pre- optic GnRH neurons have been highly conserved throughout vertebrate evolution, discoveries in this model system could have far reaching applications in behavioral neuroendocrinology.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32MH063604-03
Application #
6639250
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IFCN-2 (01))
Program Officer
Desmond, Nancy L
Project Start
2002-04-01
Project End
Budget Start
2003-04-01
Budget End
2004-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$51,904
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305