Hormone-concentrating Cells Research Articles

Testosterone and the incidence of hormone target cells in song‐control nuclei of adult canaries

Adult male canaries learn to produce high-amplitude complex courtship songs each breeding season, whereas females do not, and brain nuclei involved with the production of song behavior are much larger in breeding males than in nonbreeding males or females (Nottebohm, 1980, 1981). However, treatment of adult females with testosterone (T) causes them to produce male-like song and stimulates pronounced growth of some song-control brain nuclei such as the caudal nucleus of the ventral hyperstriatum (HVc). We reexamined the effects of T on song-control nuclei in deafened birds. In order to examine whether the pattern of hormone accumulation varies as a function of circulating testosterone levels we described the distribution of testosterone-concentrating cells in HVc and the magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (MAN) in hearing adult male, female, and T-treated female canaries, as well as in deaf T-treated and untreated females. In contrast to our previous findings (Bottjer, Schoonmaker, and Arnold, 1986a), we observed no tendency in this study for testosterone-induced growth of HVc to be attenuated in deafened birds. There was no difference between deaf and hearing birds in the incidence of labeled cells within HVc. We also observed no sex or hormone-induced differences in the percentage of hormone-concentrating cells in HVc: normal females have approximately the same proportion of hormone target cells as do males and T-treated females. However, males normally have many more neurons in HVc than do control females, and systemic exposure to testosterone induces a pronounced increase in the number of HVc neurons of adult females. Therefore, the absolute number of hormone target cells in HVc is likely to be much greater in males and T-treated females than in normal females. As in HVc, there were no differences among groups in the proportion of labeled cells within lateral MAN (IMAN), a nucleus that has been implicated in song learning (Bottjer, Miesner and Arnold, 1984). In contrast, the incidence of hormone target cells in medial MAN (mMAN) did vary as a function of hormonal condition: although mMAN of normal females is rarely visible in Nissl-stained sections and cells in this region are not hormone labeled, mMAN is clearly visible in Nissl-stained sections of males and T-treated females and contains many hormone-labeled cells. This testosterone-induced change in the phenotype of mMAN cells suggests a possible role for mMAN in learned song behavior.

Ontogeny of brain nuclei controlling song learning and behavior in zebra finches

An anatomically discrete system of interconnected brain nuclei controls production of learned song patterns in adult male zebra finches (Poephila guttata). The corresponding nuclei in females, who do not sing, are greatly reduced in volume. Cells in some telencephalic song-control nuclei accumulate androgens, and male nuclei contain a much higher proportion of hormone-concentrating cells than do female nuclei. The main purpose of this experiment was to examine the normal ontogeny of the total volume of various telencephalic nuclei that have been directly or indirectly implicated in song learning and behavior in male zebra finches. In addition, the corresponding nuclei of age-matched females were examined. The major findings were as follows: the volumes of the caudal nucleus of the ventral hyperstriatum (HVc), the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA), and area X increased sharply in males between 12 and 53 days of age, whereas brain regions not involved with song control increased much less. Increases in the size of HVc occurred prior to those in RA and area X. Previous studies have shown that males are learning the auditory and motor characteristics of song during this time. In contrast, the volume of the magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (MAN) decreased precipitously in males between 25 and 53 days. Measurements of neuron density and soma size demonstrated that this decreased volume is attributable to a loss of greater than 50% of the neurons in MAN. We have previously shown that lesions of MAN during this time completely disrupt song development. The volumes of HVc and RA were smaller in females than in males at all ages studied. Between 12 and 25 days the volumes of female HVc and RA increased less than brain regions not involved with song control. Female HVc and RA decreased slightly in volume between 25 and 53 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cellular [ 3H]estradiol and [ 3H]testosterone localization in the brains of garter snakes: An autoradiographic study

The location of sex hormone-concentrating cells in the brains of garter snakes (genus: Thamnophis) was established by use of autoradiography following intracardiac injections of [ 3H]estradiol or [ 3H]testosterone. In the telencephalon hormone-accumulating cells were found in the ventral amygdaloid nucleus, medial nucleus sphericus, septum, paleostriatum, preoptic area, and retrobulbar pallium. In the hypothalamus most of the hormone-retaining cells were found in the anterior, periventricular, ventromedial, and arcuate nuclei. The central gray and tegmentum of the midbrain, scattered regions of the medullary tegmentum, and a small nuclear region in the vicinity of the obex also contained hormone-concentrating cells. The number of hormone-accumulating cells and the density of labeling was greater after [ 3H]estradiol administration than after [ 3H]testosterone administration. The topography of hormone-concentrating cells following administration of the two hormones was similar although several regions that contained labeled cells after [ 3H]estradiol administration did not contain labeled cells after [ 3H]testosterone administration. No consistent differences were found in the intensity or pattern of labeling in the brains of males and females receiving the same hormone treatment.

Locations of androgen-concentrating cells in the brain of Xenopus laevis: autoradiography with 3H-dihydrotestosterone.

The distribution of hormone-concentrating cells in the brains of South African clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis, was examined autoradiographically after the administration of 3H-dihydrotestosterone. Hormone-accumulating cells were found in cranial nerve nucleus IX-X and adjacent smaller cells, a presumed medullary vestibular nucleus, a presumed sensory nucleus of cranial nerve V, dorsal tegmental area of the medulla, laminar nucleus of the torus semicircularis, ventral thalamus, and anterior pituitary. The pattern of dihydrotestosterone-labelled cells differs from previously reported results following testosterone or estradiol administration. Unlike these latter hormones, dihydrotestosterone does not accumulate in anterior preoptic or ventral infundibular nuclei. Both androgens but not estradiol label medullary motor neurons; limbic telencephalic nuclei appear to concentrate only estradiol. Hormone-concentrating brain nuclei in X. laevis have been implicated in neuro-endocrine regulation and the control of male and female reproductive behaviors.

Sexual Difference in Pattern of Hormone Accumulation in the Brain of a Songbird

After adult zebra finches (Poephila guttata) received injections of tritiated testosterone, fewer hormone-concentrating cells were found in females than in males in two brain regions involved in song: hyperstriatum ventrale pars caudale and magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum. In some other regions, no sexual difference was detected. It is, therefore, possible that sex differences in the sensitivity of specific neural populations to hormones underlie the striking anatomical dimorphism observed in neural regions controlling song.

Estrogen localization in the brain of the lizard, Anolis carolinensis (1).

Estrogen induces reproductive behavior in lizards by acting on specific areas of the brain. Neural areas that selectively concentrate radioactivity after 3-h-estradiol administration were mapped using thawmount autoradiography. Major accumulations of hormone-concentrating cells occur in the medial preoptic area, basal hypothalamus, amygdala (n. vetromedialis telencephali) and in and around the torus semicircularis. Numerous smaller accumulations are also described and the topographical distribution is compared with that of avian and mammalian species.

Autoradiographic and biochemical studies of steroid hormone-concentrating cells in the brain of Rana pipiens

Sex hormone concentration in the brain of Rana pipiens was investigated using autoradiographic and biochemical techniques. After injection of tritiated estradiol, labeled cells were found in a telencephalic complex (nucleus accumbens, ventrolateral septum, rostral amygdala, and ventral striatum), in the anterior preoptic area (APOA), the ventral thalamus, the ventral infundibular nucleus (VIN) and in the laminar nucleus of the torus semicircularis. After injection of tritiated testosterone, labeled cells were seen in the APOA and in the VIN. With respect to hormone-concentration in limbic telencephalon, preoptic area and infundibulum, the pattern of labeled cells seen in Rana pipiens is similar to other vertebrate species 30. Cell fractionation studies revealed the greatest hormone concentration per unit protein to be in the pituitary, followed by the ‘limbic block’ of brain tissue and then the remaining brain tissue. After injection of tritiated testosterone, differential metabolism of the steroid was seen in the three regions studied: the hormone appears to be primarily unmetabolized testosterone in the pituitary; estradiol in the limbic block; and there is no one major metabolite in the remaining brain tissue.

Hormone concentrating cells in vocal control and other areas of the brain of the zebra finch ( Poephila guttata).

Using the autoradiographic method in the zebra finch (poephila guttata), areas of the brain were identified which contain cells which accumulate testosterone. Among these areas are the caudal nucleus of the hyperstriatum ventrale, nucleus intercollicularis of the midbrain, and the tracheosyringeal portion of the hypoglossal nucleus of the medulla (nXIIts). These three are known to control or influence androgen dependent song and other vocalizations of passeriform birds, and nXIIts is composed of the motoneurons innervating the vocal (syringeal) muscles. Other areas containing hormone-concentrating cells are the medial preoptic area, nucleus periventricularis magnocellularis of the hypothalamus, dorsal infundibular layers, dorsomedial thalamus, lateral septum, magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum, periventricular medial neostriatum, nucleus taeniae of the archistriatum, and ventral paleostriatum augmentatum. Accumulation by cells in the preoptic area, hypothalamus, and limbic forebrain is consistent with a general vertebrate pattern of distribution of brain cells which accumulate sex steroids. Some of these same areas may be involved in the control of androgen dependent events such as courtship, copulation, aggression, and feedback regulation of the hypophysis.

Estrogen Target Sites in the Brain of the Chick Embryo

Autoradiograms prepared from brains of chick embryos after injection of [3H]estradiol demonstrate the existence of target cells for estrogen in the medial preoptic and ventral hypothalamic regions as early as day 10 of incubation. Target cells also appear in telencephalic locations during later stages of embryonic development. These hormone-concentrating cells probably are the anatomical substrate for the formative action of sex steroids during embryonic life on certain brain functions such as control of sexual and aggressive behaviour and gonadotropin secretion.

Autoradiographic localization of hormone‐concentrating cells in the brain of an amphibian, Xenopus laevis. II. Estradiol

Autoradiographic techniques for light microscopic examination of sex steroid retention were applied to the brains of male and female Xenopus laevis, and anuran amphibian, after 3H-estradiol administration. Estrogen was concentrated by cells in three telencephalic areas (the ventral striatum, the ventral-lateral septum and the amygdala), the anterior preoptic area, the ventral thalamus, the ventral infundibular nucleus, and in the torus semicircularis. The anterior preoptic area and the ventral infundibular nucleus contained the greatest number of labelled cells. The topography of estrogen-concentrating cells was the same in male and female brains. This fact and comparisons of 3H-estradiol with 3H-testosterone retention in Xenopus suggest that the sex steroid itself, and not the genetic sex of Xenopus determines the pattern of uptake by cells in the brain. The distribution of hormone-concentrating cells in Xenopus has many similarities to that found in birds and mammals. Preoptic, hypothalamic (tuberal), limbic forebrain and specific mesencephalic sites in all these forms contain labelled cells following radioactive sex steroid administration. Findings in Xenopus add to the argument for a phylogenetically stable system of hormone-concentrating nerve cells in limbic, hypothalamic and mesencephalic structures.

Negative feedback in adrenocortical response to limbic stimulation in Macaca mulatta.

ARTICLESNegative feedback in adrenocortical response to limbic stimulation in Macaca mulattaPR McHugh, and GP SmithPR McHugh, and GP SmithPublished Online:01 Dec 1967https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1967.213.6.1445MoreSectionsPDF (2 MB)Download PDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesGet permissionsTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInWeChat Previous Back to Top Next Download PDF FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation Cited ByHypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis—Feedback Control24 June 2015Embedded Synaptic Feedback in the Neuroendocrine Stress Axis26 May 2015 | Journal of Neuroendocrinology, Vol. 27, No. 6Fast glucocorticoid actions on brain: Back to the futureFrontiers in Neuroendocrinology, Vol. 26, No. 3-4Reinterpretation of Basal Glucocorticoid Feedback: Implications to Behavioral and Metabolic DiseaseSensitivity to glucocorticoid-mediated fast-feedback regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is dependent upon stressor specific neurocircuitryBrain Research, Vol. 870, No. 1-2Regulation of ACTH Secretion: Variations on a Theme of BEffects of various hippocampal lesions on monkey plasma cortisol levels in two experimental conditionsBehavioral and Neural Biology, Vol. 45, No. 3Autonomic Nervous System and EpilepsyEpilepsia, Vol. 26, No. s1Presence of corticotropin in limbic system of normal and hypophysectomized ratsBrain Research, Vol. 128, No. 3Autoradiographic localization of hormone-concentrating cells in the brain of the female rhesus monkeyThe Journal of Comparative Neurology, Vol. 170, No. 3Cells in regions of rhesus monkey brain and pituitary retain radioactive estradiol, corticosterone and cortisol differentiallyBrain Research, Vol. 103, No. 3Uptake of tritiated steroids in the brain of the duck (Anas platyrhynchos). An autoradiographic studyGeneral and Comparative Endocrinology, Vol. 18, No. 2Growth hormone and cortisol responsiveness in Cushing's syndromeThe American Journal of Medicine, Vol. 52, No. 1Effects of amygdaloid stimulation on pituitary-adrenal activity in conscious catsBrain Research, Vol. 32, No. 1Corticosteroid HormonesDYNAMIC ASYMMETRIES IN THE CORTICOSTEROID FEEDBACK PATH AND DISTRIBUTION METABOLISM-BINDING ELEMENTS OF THE ADRENOCORTICAL SYSTEMAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol. 156, No. 2 Rein Control, More from this issue > Volume 213Issue 6December 1967Pages 1445-1450 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1967 by American Physiological Societyhttps://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1967.213.6.1445PubMed4965485History Published online 1 December 1967 Published in print 1 December 1967 Metrics