The overall aim of the research program is to understand brain-behavior- hormone relationships underlying the reproductive cycle. One of the unanswered questions of behavioral endocrinology is how the brain integrates external environmental, internal hormonal and neural input. By identifying changes in neuropeptidergic expression associated with behavioral responses, we hope to characterize the ways in which the brain achieves this integration. Two specific experimental results, based on our own work with doves in the previous funding period, set the stage for the proposed research. The first involves VIP-like immunoreactivity in highly localized (ventrolateral periventricular) infundibular cells that increase in size during parental care. The second involves highly localized septal and (dorsolateral periventricular) infundibular CSF-contacting cells that co-express VIP and opsin-like immunoreactivity. VIP is a prolactin releasing factor, and prolactin is secreted at 2 distinct phases in reproduction - during the parental phase of the breeding cycle, and during the seasonal nonbreeding period. Experiments are designed to study the function of VIP, steroid-VIP interactions, species differences in the function of VIP cells, and the afferent and efferent projections of these cells. Another series of behavioral studies will be done to examine hormonal, thermal and stimulus factors regulating the sex-typical incubation behavior of the biparental ring doves. Here we ask about the doses and sites of action of steroids mediating sex-typical timing of incubation, the function of sex differences in timing of parental care, and the locus of the """"""""biological clock"""""""" controlling daily rhythms of incubation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01MH029380-13
Application #
3375089
Study Section
Psychobiology and Behavior Review Committee (PYB)
Project Start
1976-06-01
Project End
1994-06-30
Budget Start
1989-08-01
Budget End
1990-06-30
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Barnard College
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027
Kriegsfeld, Lance J; Hotchkiss, Andrew K; Demas, Gregory E et al. (2003) Brain mast cells are influenced by chemosensory cues associated with estrus induction in female prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Horm Behav 44:377-84
Khalil, Mona H; Silverman, Ann-Judith; Silver, Rae (2003) Mast cells in the rat brain synthesize gonadotropin-releasing hormone. J Neurobiol 56:113-24
Silverman, Ann-Judith; Asarian, Lori; Khalil, Mona et al. (2002) GnRH, brain mast cells and behavior. Prog Brain Res 141:315-25
Lehman, M; Silver, R (2000) CSF signaling in physiology and behavior. Prog Brain Res 125:415-33
Silverman, A J; Sutherland, A K; Wilhelm, M et al. (2000) Mast cells migrate from blood to brain. J Neurosci 20:401-8
Shanas, U; Bhasin, R; Sutherland, A K et al. (1998) Brain mast cells lack the c-kit receptor: immunocytochemical evidence. J Neuroimmunol 90:207-11
Zhuang, X; Silverman, A J; Silver, R (1997) Mast cell number and maturation in the central nervous system: influence of tissue type, location and exposure to steroid hormones. Neuroscience 80:1237-45
Knapp, R; Silver, R (1995) Location of neurons projecting to the hypophysial stalk--median eminence in ring doves (Streptopelia roseogrisea). Cell Tissue Res 280:77-86
Saldanha, C J; Silver, R (1995) Intraventricular prolactin inhibits hypothalamic vasoactive-intestinal polypeptide-expression in doves. J Neuroendocrinol 7:881-7
Saldanha, C J; Deviche, P J; Silver, R (1994) Increased VIP and decreased GnRH expression in photorefractory dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Gen Comp Endocrinol 93:128-36

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