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Related Experiment Video

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Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats

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Prenatal programming of sexual partner preference: the ram model.

C E Roselli¹, F Stormshak

¹Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR 97201-3098, USA. rosellic@ohsu.edu

Journal of Neuroendocrinology

|February 12, 2009

Summary

In rams, the sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN) size correlates with sexual preference. Aromatase activity is not essential for sexual differentiation, suggesting androgen receptors play a key role in programming partner preference.

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Area of Science:

Neuroendocrinology
Behavioral Neuroscience
Reproductive Biology

Background:

Approximately 8% of domestic rams exhibit same-sex attraction (male-oriented), while most are attracted to ewes (female-oriented).
The sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN) in the preoptic/anterior hypothalamus is a key brain region implicated in sexual preference and exhibits sexual dimorphism in many species.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of the ovine SDN (oSDN) and aromatase in the neural programming of sexual partner preference in domestic rams.
To determine if prenatal hormonal exposure influences oSDN development and adult sexual orientation.

Main Methods:

Dissection and measurement of the oSDN in male-oriented rams, female-oriented rams, and ewes.
Assessment of aromatase expression within the oSDN.
Examination of oSDN development and masculinization following prenatal testosterone exposure in female lambs.
Inhibition of aromatase activity in fetal ram brains during critical developmental periods.

Main Results:

The oSDN was found to be smaller in male-oriented rams compared to female-oriented rams, similar in size to ewes.
Aromatase expression was reduced in male-oriented rams.
Prenatal testosterone exposure in female lambs resulted in a masculinized oSDN.
Inhibition of fetal aromatase activity did not affect defeminization of sexual preference or oSDN volume.

Conclusions:

The oSDN develops prenatally and its size may influence adult sexual partner preference.
Neural aromatase is not essential for the sexual differentiation of brain and behavior in rams.
Androgen receptor mechanisms, independent of aromatization, are proposed to program oSDN morphology and male-typical partner preferences.