Contribution of birds to the study of sexual differentiation of brain and behavior

Horm Behav. 2023 Aug 9;155:105410. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105410. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBehavioral neuroendocrinology has largely relied on mammalian models to understand the relationship between hormones and behavior, even if this discipline has historically used a larger diversity of species than other fields. Recent advances revealed the potential of avian models in elucidating the neuroendocrine bases of behavior. This paper provides a review focused mainly on the contributions of our laboratory to the study of sexual differentiation in Japanese quail and songbirds. Quail studies have firmly established the role of embryonic estrogens in the sexual differentiation of male copulatory behavior. While most sexually differentiated features identified in brain structure and physiology result from the different endocrine milieu of adults, a few characteristics are organized by embryonic estrogens. Among them, a sex difference was identified in the number and morphology of microglia which is not associated with sex differences in the concentration/expression of neuroinflammatory molecules. The behavioral role of microglia and neuroinflammatory processes requires further investigations. Sexual differentiation of singing in zebra finches is not mediated by the same endocrine mechanisms as male copulatory behavior and "direct" genetic effect, i.e., not mediated by gonadal steroids have been identified. Epigenetic contributions have also been considered. Finally sex diffe...
Source: Hormones and Behavior - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Source Type: research