Effects of Alpha-Methyl-Para-Tyrosine on Monoamine Levels in the Japanese Quail: Sex Differences and Testosterone Effects

in Brain Research Bulletin (1992), 28(2), 275-88

Experiments were performed to obtain more information on the regulation by steroids of catecholaminergic systems in the brain of Japanese quail. Dose-response and time-response experiments were first ... [more ▼]

Experiments were performed to obtain more information on the regulation by steroids of catecholaminergic systems in the brain of Japanese quail. Dose-response and time-response experiments were first performed to determine optimal conditions for measuring turnover in the quail brain. The norepinephrine and dopamine turnover were then estimated in microdissected brain nuclei of birds that were either sexually mature or gonadectomized or gonadectomized and treated with testosterone. Two major facts that bear direct relationship with the control of masculine reproductive behavior were demonstrated. On one hand, the dopamine turnover in the medial preoptic nucleus, a sexually dimorphic brain structure which is critically implicated in the control of copulatory behavior was much higher in male than in female quail irrespective of the hormonal condition of the birds. On the other hand, norepinephrine concentrations appeared to be higher in several nuclei of the female brain by comparison with males. These sex differences might represent part of the causal factors that underlie the sex dimorphism in reproductive behavior in quail. [less ▲]

Essais de localisation des RNA polymérases dans des cellules tumorales d'Ehrlich par immunocytochimie ultrastructurale

in Biology of the Cell (1986), 57

Testosterone metabolism and testosterone-dependent characteristics in Japanese quail.

in Physiology & Behavior (1984), 33(5), 817-23

In 2 independent experiments, we measured and correlated in maturing male Japanese quail the individual variations in sexual and aggressive behavior, cloacal gland size, testes weight, plasma testosterone ... [more ▼]

In 2 independent experiments, we measured and correlated in maturing male Japanese quail the individual variations in sexual and aggressive behavior, cloacal gland size, testes weight, plasma testosterone concentrations and intracellular testosterone metabolism by hypothalamus and cloacal gland. Cloacal gland area was only weakly related to plasma testosterone levels but was positively correlated with the production of active androgenic metabolites and negatively related to the production of 5 beta-reduced androgens (inactive) in the glandular tissue. Several measures of behavior were correlated with aspects of the testosterone metabolism in the anterior hypothalamus. In both experiments, the behavior of the birds was also strongly correlated with their testes weight and their cloacal gland area but weakly or not at all with their plasma testosterone levels. These studies suggest that testosterone metabolism is involved in the control of hormone action in maturing animals. [less ▲]

Effects of exogenous gonadotropic and steroid hormones on the social behaviour and gonadal maturation of male domestic ducklings Anas platyrhynchos L.

in Archives Internationales de Physiologie et de Biochimie (1979), 87(4), 741-61

Male domestic ducklings were injected during their first month of life with mammalian gonadotrophins (ovine LH or FSH, HMG) or gonadal steroids (testosterone or oestradiol). LH and testosterone stimulated ... [more ▼]

Male domestic ducklings were injected during their first month of life with mammalian gonadotrophins (ovine LH or FSH, HMG) or gonadal steroids (testosterone or oestradiol). LH and testosterone stimulated sexual behaviour while oestradiol inhibited the increase of aggression observed in control birds during the experiment. The mammalian gonadotrophins did not increase plasma testosterone but nevertheless they all stimulated the testis growth. Several hypotheses which could explain this finding (stimulation of spermatogenesis without any apparent effect on testosterone) are discussed and the possibility of a direct action of LH on the sexual behaviour is analysed. Social displays were only moderately stimulated by testosterone and not at all by gonadotrophins. The hormonal controls of these behaviour patterns remains thus largely unknown. [less ▲]

Controle hormonal du comportement et de la croissance testiculaire chez la caille coturnix corturnix japonica

in Comptes Rendus Biologies (1977), 171(3), 656-63

Dosage radioimmunologique de l'hormone folliculo-stimulante (FSH) hypophysaire de canard a l'aide d'un systeme de mammiferes

in Comptes Rendus des Séances de la Société de Biologie et de ses Filiales (1974), 168(1), 136-40