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Germé K, Pfaus JG. Acute ethanol disrupts conditioned inhibition in the male rat. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06618-5. [PMID: 38822097 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alcohol can disrupt conditioned sexual inhibition (CSI) established by first-order conditioning in male rats. CSI can also be induced using second-order conditioning, during which male rats are trained to associate a neutral odor with a nonreceptive female. As a result, when given access to two receptive females (one scented and one unscented) during a copulatory preference test, they display CSI toward the scented female. OBJECTIVE The present study examined the effect of low-to-moderate doses of alcohol on CSI and brain activation following exposure to alcohol and the olfactory cue alone. METHODS Sexually-naïve Long-Evans rats received alternate conditioning sessions with unscented receptive or scented (almond extract) non-receptive females. Following the conditioning phase, males were injected with saline, alcohol 0.5 g/kg or 1 g/kg, 45 min before a copulatory test with two receptive females, with one bearing the olfactory cue. Fos activation was later assessed, following exposure to alcohol and the olfactory cue alone, in several brain regions involved in the expression and regulation of male sexual behavior. RESULTS While males in the saline group displayed sexual avoidance towards the scented female, those injected with alcohol before the copulatory test, regardless of the dose, copulated indiscriminately with both females. Subsequent exposure to alcohol and the olfactory cue alone induced different Fos expression between groups in several brain regions. CONCLUSIONS Low to moderate doses of alcohol disrupt conditioned sexual inhibition in male rats and induce a differential pattern of neural activation, particularly in regions involved in the expression and regulation of sexual behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katuschia Germé
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Biology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, H4B 1R7, Canada
| | - James G Pfaus
- Center for Sexual Health and Intervention, Czech National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, 25067, Czech Republic.
- Department of Psychology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, Prague, 18200, Czech Republic.
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Lv S, Huang J, Luo Y, Wen Y, Chen B, Qiu H, Chen H, Yue T, He L, Feng B, Yu Z, Zhao M, Yang Q, He M, Xiao W, Zou X, Gu C, Lu R. Gut microbiota is involved in male reproductive function: a review. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1371667. [PMID: 38765683 PMCID: PMC11099273 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1371667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Globally, ~8%-12% of couples confront infertility issues, male-related issues being accountable for 50%. This review focuses on the influence of gut microbiota and their metabolites on the male reproductive system from five perspectives: sperm quality, testicular structure, sex hormones, sexual behavior, and probiotic supplementation. To improve sperm quality, gut microbiota can secrete metabolites by themselves or regulate host metabolites. Endotoxemia is a key factor in testicular structure damage that causes orchitis and disrupts the blood-testis barrier (BTB). In addition, the gut microbiota can regulate sex hormone levels by participating in the synthesis of sex hormone-related enzymes directly and participating in the enterohepatic circulation of sex hormones, and affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis. They can also activate areas of the brain that control sexual arousal and behavior through metabolites. Probiotic supplementation can improve male reproductive function. Therefore, the gut microbiota may affect male reproductive function and behavior; however, further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying microbiota-mediated male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuya Lv
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jingrong Huang
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yadan Luo
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Yuhang Wen
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Baoting Chen
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Hao Qiu
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Huanxin Chen
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Suining First People's Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Tianhao Yue
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Lvqin He
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Baochun Feng
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Suining First People's Hospital, Suining, China
| | - Zehui Yu
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Mingde Zhao
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Manli He
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Wudian Xiao
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zou
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Suining First People's Hospital, Suining, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Congwei Gu
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruilin Lu
- Gastrointestinal Surgery, Suining First People's Hospital, Suining, China
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Blumenthal SA, Young LJ. The Neurobiology of Love and Pair Bonding from Human and Animal Perspectives. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:844. [PMID: 37372130 PMCID: PMC10295201 DOI: 10.3390/biology12060844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Love is a powerful emotional experience that is rooted in ancient neurobiological processes shared with other species that pair bond. Considerable insights have been gained into the neural mechanisms driving the evolutionary antecedents of love by studies in animal models of pair bonding, particularly in monogamous species such as prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Here, we provide an overview of the roles of oxytocin, dopamine, and vasopressin in regulating neural circuits responsible for generating bonds in animals and humans alike. We begin with the evolutionary origins of bonding in mother-infant relationships and then examine the neurobiological underpinnings of each stage of bonding. Oxytocin and dopamine interact to link the neural representation of partner stimuli with the social reward of courtship and mating to create a nurturing bond between individuals. Vasopressin facilitates mate-guarding behaviors, potentially related to the human experience of jealousy. We further discuss the psychological and physiological stress following partner separation and their adaptive function, as well as evidence of the positive health outcomes associated with being pair-bonded based on both animal and human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Blumenthal
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Larry J. Young
- Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Ménard S, Gelez H, Coria-Avila GA, Pfaus JG. Sexual experience increases oxytocin, but not vasopressin, receptor densities in the medial preoptic area, ventromedial hypothalamus, and central amygdala of male rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 146:105900. [PMID: 36041295 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) are considered to be principal neurochemical substrates of bonding in monogamous species. We have reported previously that conditioning of a sexual partner preference in male rats resulted in conditioned activation of OT and VP neurons in hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptc nuclei. Here we asked whether such conditioning would also alter OT or VP receptor densities. Sexually naïve male rats were assigned to one of three groups (n = 15/group). The Paired group received 9 copulatory training trials with sexually receptive females scented with a neutral almond odor. The Unpaired group received 9 copulatory training trials with unscented sexually receptive females. The Naïve group were not given sexual experience. Paired and Unpaired males were given a final test in an open field with two receptive females, one scented and the other unscented, to assess the development of conditioned ejaculatory preference (CEP), which was expressed significantly in the Paired group. Brains from rats in the three groups were then assessed for OT receptor (OTR) or VP1a receptor (VPR) densities within cortical, limbic and hypothalamic structures using autoradiography with selective 125I-labeled receptor ligands. Sexual experience alone increased OTR significantly in the medial preoptic area (mPOA), ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), and central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in both Paired- and Unpaired-trained males compared to sexually Naïve males. No differences were found for experience on VPR densities in any region. These data add to a growing body of evidence that sexual experience alters brain function and processing of sex-related cues, and suggest that enhanced activation of OTRs in the mPOA, VMH, and CeA by conditioned OT release in those regions may underlie CEP in the male rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shann Ménard
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology,Concordia University, Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Hélène Gelez
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology,Concordia University, Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada; Pelvipharm Laboratories, University of Versailles, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny le Bretonneux, France
| | - Genaro A Coria-Avila
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology,Concordia University, Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada; Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, VER 91193, Mexico
| | - James G Pfaus
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology,Concordia University, Montréal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada; Department of Psychology and Life Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, 18200, Prague, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Sexual Neuroscience, Center for Sexual Health and Intervention, Czech National Institute of Mental Health, 25067 Klecany, Czech Republic.
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Zhang T, Yuan P, Cui Y, Yuan W, Jiang D. Convergent and Divergent Structural Connectivity of Brain White Matter Network Between Patients With Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation: A Graph Theory Analysis Study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:804207. [PMID: 35273555 PMCID: PMC8902049 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.804207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual dysfunction, namely, erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE), has been found to be associated with abnormal structural connectivity in the brain. Previous studies have mainly focused on a single disorder, however, convergent and divergent structural connectivity patterns of the brain network between ED and PE remain poorly understood. Methods T1-weighted structural data and diffusion tensor imaging data of 28 patients with psychological ED, 28 patients with lifelong PE (LPE), and 28 healthy controls (HCs) were obtained to map the white matter (WM) brain networks. Then, the graph-theoretical method was applied to investigate the differences of network properties (small-world measures) of the WM network between patients with ED and LPE. Furthermore, nodal segregative and integrative parameters (nodal clustering coefficient and characteristic path length) were also explored between these patients. Results Small-world architecture of the brain networks were identified for both psychological ED and LPE groups. However, patients with ED exhibited increased average characteristic path length of the brain network when compared with patients with LPE and HCs. No significant difference was found in the average characteristic path length between patients with LPE and HCs. Moreover, increased nodal characteristic path length was found in the right middle frontal gyrus (orbital part) of patients with ED and LPE when compared with HCs. In addition, patients with ED had increased nodal characteristic path length in the right middle frontal gyrus (orbital part) when compared with patients with LPE. Conclusion Together, our results demonstrated that decreased integration of the right middle frontal gyrus (orbital part) might be a convergent neuropathological basis for both psychological ED and LPE. In addition, patients with ED also exhibited decreased integration in the whole WM brain network, which was not found in patients with LPE. Therefore, altered integration of the whole brain network might be the divergent structural connectivity patterns for psychological ED and LPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tielong Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Peng Yuan
- Department of Intervention, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Yonghua Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Weibiao Yuan
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Daye Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
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Nakamura S, Watanabe Y, Goto T, Ikegami K, Inoue N, Uenoyama Y, Tsukamura H. Kisspeptin neurons as a key player bridging the endocrine system and sexual behavior in mammals. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 64:100952. [PMID: 34755641 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive behaviors are sexually differentiated: for example, male rodents show mounting behavior, while females in estrus show lordosis behavior as sex-specific sexual behaviors. Kisspeptin neurons govern reproductive function via direct stimulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and subsequent gonadotropin release for gonadal steroidogenesis in mammals. First, we discuss the role of hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons as an indispensable regulator of sexual behavior by stimulating the synthesis of gonadal steroids, which exert "activational effects" on the behavior in adulthood. Second, we discuss the central role of kisspeptin neurons that are directly involved in neural circuits controlling sexual behavior in adulthood. We then focused on the role of perinatal hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons in the induction of perinatal testosterone secretion for its "organizational effects" on masculinization/defeminization of the male brain in rodents during a critical period. We subsequently concluded that kisspeptin neurons are key players in bridging the endocrine system and sexual behavior in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Nakamura
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari, Ehime 794-8555, Japan
| | - Youki Watanabe
- Graduate School of Applied Life Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Teppei Goto
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Kana Ikegami
- Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Naoko Inoue
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Uenoyama
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - Hiroko Tsukamura
- Graduate School of Bioagricultural Science, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
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Jean A, Mhaouty-Kodja S, Hardin-Pouzet H. Hypothalamic cellular and molecular plasticity linked to sexual experience in male rats and mice. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 63:100949. [PMID: 34687674 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Male sexual behavior is subject to learning, resulting in increased efficiency of experienced males compared to naive ones. The improvement in behavioral parameters is underpinned by cellular and molecular changes in the neural circuit controlling sexual behavior, particularly in the hypothalamic medial preoptic area. This review provides an update on the mechanisms related to the sexual experience in male rodents, emphasizing the differences between rats and mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Jean
- Sorbonne Université - Faculté de Sciences et Ingénierie, Neuroplasticité des Comportements de la Reproduction, Neurosciences Paris Seine, UM119 - CNRS UMR 8246 - INSERM UMRS 1130, 7 quai Saint Bernard, 75 005 Paris, France
| | - Sakina Mhaouty-Kodja
- Sorbonne Université - Faculté de Sciences et Ingénierie, Neuroplasticité des Comportements de la Reproduction, Neurosciences Paris Seine, UM119 - CNRS UMR 8246 - INSERM UMRS 1130, 7 quai Saint Bernard, 75 005 Paris, France
| | - Hélène Hardin-Pouzet
- Sorbonne Université - Faculté de Sciences et Ingénierie, Neuroplasticité des Comportements de la Reproduction, Neurosciences Paris Seine, UM119 - CNRS UMR 8246 - INSERM UMRS 1130, 7 quai Saint Bernard, 75 005 Paris, France.
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Xu Y, Zhang X, Xiang Z, Wang Q, Huang X, Liu T, Yang Z, Chen Y, Xue J, Chen J, Yang J. Abnormal Functional Connectivity Between the Left Medial Superior Frontal Gyrus and Amygdala Underlying Abnormal Emotion and Premature Ejaculation: A Resting State fMRI Study. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:704920. [PMID: 34421524 PMCID: PMC8375680 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.704920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction and is found to be associated with abnormal emotion. The amygdala plays an important role in the processing of emotion. The process of ejaculation is found to be mediated by the frontal-limbic neural circuits. However, the correlations between PE and emotion are still unclear. Methods Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were acquired in 27 PE patients with stable emotion (SPE), 27 PE patients with abnormal emotion (NPE), and 30 healthy controls (HC). We used rs-fMRI to explore the underlying neural mechanisms in SPE, NPE, and HC by measuring the functional connectivity (FC). Differences of FC values among the three groups were compared when choosing bilateral amygdala as the regions of interest (ROIs). We also explored the correlations between the brain regions showing altered FC values and scores of the premature ejaculation diagnostic tool (PEDT)/Eysenck Personality Inventory about neuroticism (EPQ-N) in the PE group. Results When the left amygdala was chosen as the ROI, the SPE group exhibited an increased FC between the left medial superior frontal gyrus (SFGmed) and amygdala compared with the NPE or HC group. When the right amygdala was chosen as the ROI, the NPE group exhibited a decreased FC between the left SFGmed and right amygdala compared with the HC group. In addition, FC values of the left SFGmed had positive correlations with PEDT and negative correlations with EPQ-N scores in the PE group. Moreover, FC values of the left superior temporal gyrus had positive correlations with EPQ-N scores in the PE group. Conclusion The increased FC values between the left SFGmed and amygdala could reflect a compensatory cortical control mechanism with the effect of stabilized emotion in the limbic regions of PE patients. Abnormal FC between these brain regions could play a critical role in the physiopathology of PE and could help us in dividing PE into more subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Andrology, Yangzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziliang Xiang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinfei Huang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaoxu Yang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianguo Xue
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianhuai Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Urology, Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Urology, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Ürümqi, China
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9
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Hammack SE, Braas KM, May V. Chemoarchitecture of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis: Neurophenotypic diversity and function. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 179:385-402. [PMID: 34225977 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819975-6.00025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a compact but neurophenotypically complex structure in the ventral forebrain that is structurally and functionally linked to other limbic structures, including the amygdala nuclear complex, hypothalamic nuclei, hippocampus, and related midbrain structures, to participate in a wide range of functions, especially emotion, emotional learning, stress-related responses, and sexual behaviors. From a variety of sensory inputs, the BNST acts as a node for signal integration and coordination for information relay to downstream central neuroendocrine and autonomic centers for appropriate homeostatic physiological and behavioral responses. In contrast to the role of the amygdala in fear, the BNST has gained wide interest from work suggesting that it has main roles in mediating sustained responses to diffuse, unpredictable and/or long-duration threats that are typically associated with anxiety-related responses. Further, some BNST subregions are highly sexually dimorphic which appear contributory to the differential stress and social interactive behaviors, including reproductive responses, between males and females. Notably, maladaptive BNST neuroplasticity and function have been implicated in chronic pain, depression, anxiety-related abnormalities, and other psychopathologies including posttraumatic stress disorders. The BNST circuits are predominantly GABAergic-the glutaminergic neurons represent a minor population-but the complexity of the system results from an overlay of diverse neuropeptide coexpression in these neurons. More than a dozen neuropeptides may be differentially coexpressed in BNST neurons, and from variable G protein-coupled receptor signaling, may inhibit or activate downstream circuit activities. The mechanisms and roles of these peptides in modulating intrinsic BNST neurocircuit signaling and BNST long-distance target cell projections are still not well understood. Nevertheless, an understanding of some of the principal players may allow assembly of the circuit interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayamwong E Hammack
- Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Karen M Braas
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Victor May
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States.
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10
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Balthazart J. How technical progress reshaped behavioral neuroendocrinology during the last 50 years… and some methodological remarks. Horm Behav 2020; 118:104682. [PMID: 31927020 PMCID: PMC7019036 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The first issue of Hormones and Behavior was published 50 years ago in 1969, a time when most of the techniques we currently use in Behavioral Endocrinology were not available. Researchers have during the last 5 decades developed techniques that allow measuring hormones in small volumes of biological samples, identify the sites where steroids act in the brain to activate sexual behavior, characterize and quantify gene expression correlated with behavior expression, modify this expression in a specific manner, and manipulate the activity of selected neuronal populations by chemogenetic and optogenetic techniques. This technical progress has considerably transformed the field and has been very beneficial for our understanding of the endocrine controls of behavior in general, but it did also come with some caveats. The facilitation of scientific investigations came with some relaxation of methodological exigency. Some critical controls are no longer performed on a regular basis and complex techniques supplied as ready to use kits are implemented without precise knowledge of their limitations. We present here a selective review of the most important of these new techniques, their potential problems and how they changed our view of the hormonal control of behavior. Fortunately, the scientific endeavor is a self-correcting process. The problems have been identified and corrections have been proposed. The next decades will obviously be filled with exciting discoveries in behavioral neuroendocrinology.
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