The neuronal pathways through the limbic system through which olfactory and vomeronasal chemosensory inputs control reproductive physiology and behavior have been mapped in our laboratory in previous studies. Key areas along these pathways are the medial nucleus of the amygdala (M), the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and the medial preoptic area (MPOA). In addition to transmitting chemosensory information, neurons in these three regions actively concentrate circulating gonadal (steroid) hormones. We propose here to investigate the precise location, i.e., the cellular subgroups, within M, MPOA and BNST where transmission of vomeronasal and olfactory information might be influenced by the presence of gonadal hormones. We will use the male Syrian hamster as a model because in this animal both chemosensory inputs and testosterone are essential for mating behavior. We hypothesize specifically that testosterone is concentrated in neurons which are part of the vomeronasal pathway and that its absence alters the morphology of these neurons in ways that disrupt the flow of information along the pathway. We propose 1) to define interconnections between these areas in detail using HRP, fluorescent compounds and 3H amino acids as tracers, 2) to localize the subpopulations of cells within M, MPOA and BNST which concentrate testosterone using 3H-steroid autoradiography, 3) to identify those testosterone concentrating neurons in M which project to BNST and those projecting to MPOA, 4) to characterize the Golgi anatomy of neurons in M, MPOA and BNST, and 5) using the Golgi technique to quantify morphological changes in the dendrites of these neurons which result from long term castration. Our long range goal is to understand the cellular mechanisms which underline central nervous system integration of environmental and hormonal influences controlling reproductive physiology and behavior.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS020629-04
Application #
3401100
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 1 (NEUB)
Project Start
1984-04-01
Project End
1988-06-30
Budget Start
1987-04-01
Budget End
1988-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Holt, Avril Genene; Newman, Sarah Winans (2004) Distribution of methionine and leucine enkephalin neurons within the social behavior circuitry of the male Syrian hamster brain. Brain Res 1030:28-48
Wood, R I; Newman, S W (1999) Androgen receptor immunoreactivity in the male and female Syrian hamster brain. J Neurobiol 39:359-70
Parfitt, D B; Newman, S W (1998) Fos-immunoreactivity within the extended amygdala is correlated with the onset of sexual satiety. Horm Behav 34:17-29
Kollack-Walker, S; Newman, S W (1997) Mating-induced expression of c-fos in the male Syrian hamster brain: role of experience, pheromones, and ejaculations. J Neurobiol 32:481-501
Newman, S W; Parfitt, D B; Kollack-Walker, S (1997) Mating-induced c-fos expression patterns complement and supplement observations after lesions in the male Syrian hamster brain. Ann N Y Acad Sci 807:239-59
Wood, R I; Bean, A R; Sundaram, K et al. (1996) 7 alpha-methyl-19-nortestosterone facilitates sexual behavior in the male Syrian hamster. Horm Behav 30:131-7
Wood, R I; Newman, S W (1995) Androgen and estrogen receptors coexist within individual neurons in the brain of the Syrian hamster. Neuroendocrinology 62:487-97
Wood, R I; Newman, S W (1995) The medial amygdaloid nucleus and medial preoptic area mediate steroidal control of sexual behavior in the male Syrian hamster. Horm Behav 29:338-53
Wood, R I; Newman, S W (1995) Integration of chemosensory and hormonal cues is essential for mating in the male Syrian hamster. J Neurosci 15:7261-9
Kollack-Walker, S; Newman, S W (1995) Mating and agonistic behavior produce different patterns of Fos immunolabeling in the male Syrian hamster brain. Neuroscience 66:721-36

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