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Neurosteroids and brain sexual differentiation
B A Schlinger1, K K Soma, S E London
1Dept of Physiological Science and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1527, USA. schlinge@lifesci.ucla.edu
Trends in Neurosciences
|July 31, 2001
Summary
Developing songbirds can create their own estradiol, a key estrogen. This neurosteroid may masculinize the male brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Sexual differentiation of the brain is traditionally linked to circulating hormones.
- The role of locally synthesized hormones within the brain is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the de novo synthesis of estradiol in the developing songbird brain.
- To explore the potential role of neurally derived estradiol in sexual differentiation of the song system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized techniques to detect hormone synthesis within brain tissue.
- Examined the song system's neural connections in developing male songbirds.
Main Results:
- New evidence confirms the developing songbird brain can synthesize estradiol de novo.
- Estradiol synthesized within the brain may play a role in masculinizing neural circuits controlling song in males.
Conclusions:
- Challenges conventional models of brain sexual differentiation.
- Highlights a significant role for neurosteroids, like estradiol, in neural development and function.