Article (Scientific journals)
Individual variation and the endocrine regulation of behaviour and physiology in birds: a cellular/molecular perspective.
Ball, Gregory F; Balthazart, Jacques
2008In Philosophical Transactions. Biological Sciences, 363 (1497), p. 1699-710
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Keywords :
Animals; Behavior, Animal/physiology; Birds/physiology; Endocrine System/physiology; Evolution; Gonadal Steroid Hormones/blood; Models, Biological
Abstract :
[en] Investigations of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of physiology and behaviour have generally avoided attempts to explain individual differences. The goal has rather been to discover general processes. However, understanding the causes of individual variation in many phenomena of interest to avian eco-physiologists will require a consideration of such mechanisms. For example, in birds, changes in plasma concentrations of steroid hormones are important in the activation of social behaviours related to reproduction and aggression. Attempts to explain individual variation in these behaviours as a function of variation in plasma hormone concentrations have generally failed. Cellular variables related to the effectiveness of steroid hormone have been useful in some cases. Steroid hormone target sensitivity can be affected by variables such as metabolizing enzyme activity, hormone receptor expression as well as receptor cofactor expression. At present, no general theory has emerged that might provide a clear guidance when trying to explain individual variability in birds or in any other group of vertebrates. One strategy is to learn from studies of large units of intraspecific variation such as population or sex differences to provide ideas about variables that might be important in explaining individual variation. This approach along with the use of newly developed molecular genetic tools represents a promising avenue for avian eco-physiologists to pursue.
Disciplines :
Neurosciences & behavior
Endocrinology, metabolism & nutrition
Zoology
Author, co-author :
Ball, Gregory F
Balthazart, Jacques  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Biologie de la différenciation sexuelle du cerveau
Language :
English
Title :
Individual variation and the endocrine regulation of behaviour and physiology in birds: a cellular/molecular perspective.
Publication date :
2008
Journal title :
Philosophical Transactions. Biological Sciences
ISSN :
0962-8436
eISSN :
1471-2970
Publisher :
Royal Society of London, London, United Kingdom
Volume :
363
Issue :
1497
Pages :
1699-710
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 14 April 2009

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