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Steroids in the avian brain: heterogeneity across space and time

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Abstract

Sex steroids influence a diversity of neural and behavioral endpoints in birds, including some that have little to do with reproduction per se. Recent advances in neurochemistry and molecular biology further indicate that the avian brain comprises a network of unique sex steroid microenvironments. Factors involved in steroid synthesis and metabolism are present in the avian brain with expression levels that vary from region to region and with activities that are, in some cases, subject to regulation over relatively slow or rapid time intervals. Advances in our ability to (1) isolate steroids from brain tissue and (2) precisely measure their concentrations reveal how steroid levels vary spatially and temporally. A full appreciation of sex steroid effects on the avian brain require not only measures of hormones in the blood but also an understanding of the numerous and varied mechanisms whereby the brain creates such a heterogeneous steroidal environment.

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Acknowledgment

Supported by NIH MH061994.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90290, USA

    Barney A. Schlinger

  2. Departments of Integrative Biology and Physiology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90290, USA

    Barney A. Schlinger

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Correspondence to Barney A. Schlinger.

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Communicated by E. Matthysen.

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Schlinger, B.A. Steroids in the avian brain: heterogeneity across space and time. J Ornithol 156 (Suppl 1), 419–424 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-015-1184-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-015-1184-7

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