Sexual dimorphism of the electrophysiological properties of the projection neurons in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium in adult zebra finches

Abstract

To observe the sexual differences in electrophysiological properties of neurons in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) in adult zebra finches, and to provide the direct electrophysiological evidence for the sexual dimorphism of birdsong. Whole-cell recording was used to record the spontaneous action potential firing rates from RA projection neurons in acute brain slices. The projection neurons of RA in male birds fired spontaneously at 10 Hz or above, while in female birds, the frequency was significantly lower, and even no firings could be detected. There is a sexual difference in electrophysiological properties of projection neurons in RA, which may result from the difference in the levels of steroid hormones in birds.