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Cellular analyses of hormone influence on motoneuronal development and function.

S M Breedlove

    Journal of Neurobiology
    |May 1, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Androgens are crucial for the survival and development of bulbocavernosus (BC) muscles and spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) motoneurons in rats. Perinatal androgen exposure shapes the BC-SNB system, influencing reproductive function and sexual dimorphism.

    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Developmental Biology
    • Reproductive Biology

    Background:

    • The bulbocavernosus (BC) muscles and their innervating spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) motoneurons exhibit sexual dimorphism in adult rodents.
    • In newborn females, BC muscles and SNB motoneurons form connections, but both degenerate without perinatal androgen administration.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of androgens in the development and maintenance of the BC-SNB system.
    • To determine the primary site of androgen action and its effects on motoneuron survival and muscle morphology.
    • To explore the influence of perinatal steroid treatments on SNB cell location and adult morphology.

    Main Methods:

    • Administration of androgens perinatally.
    • Surgical manipulation including denervation and spinal cord transection.

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  • Retrograde tracing studies to determine spinal location of SNB cells.
  • Morphological analysis of motoneurons and BC muscles.

    • Main Results:

    • Androgen treatment perinatally prevents the degeneration of BC muscles and SNB motoneurons in females.
    • Androgen primarily acts on the BC muscles, sparing them even after neural ablation.
    • Androgen can spare androgen-insensitive SNB motoneurons.
    • Perinatal steroids alter the spinal location of SNB cells.
    • Androgen continues to influence the morphology of the SNB system in adulthood.

    Conclusions:

    • Perinatal androgens are essential for the survival and sexual differentiation of the BC-SNB neuromuscular system.
    • The BC muscles are a primary target of androgen action, while SNB motoneurons are indirectly supported.
    • The findings highlight the critical role of androgens in shaping reproductive function and sexual dimorphism in the mammalian perineum, with parallels in other species like dogs and humans.