Estrogen-inducible, sex-specific expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA in a forebrain song control nucleus of the juvenile zebra finch.
The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA is increased significantly within the high vocal center (HVc) of male but not female zebra finches from posthatching day 30-35 on. The population of HVc cells expressing BDNF mRNA included 35% of the neurons projecting to the nucleus robustus of the archistriatum (RA). In the RA and in RA-projecting neurons of the lateral portion of the magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum, BDNF mRNA was expressed at very low levels in both sexes. The BDNF-receptor trkB mRNA was expressed in the RA, in RA-projecting neurons of lateral portion of the magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum, and in the HVc, except in most of its RA-projecting neurons. Premature stimulation and an inhibitory effect on the normal increase of the BDNF mRNA expression in juvenile males occurred after treatments with 17beta-estradiol and the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole, respectively. The up-regulation of the BDNF expression in the HVc could be a mechanism by which estrogen triggers the differentiation of cells within and connected to the HVc of male zebra finches.
Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-82319 Seewiesen, Germany; and Faculteit der Biologie, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. dittrich@bio.vu.nl
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D000818:Animals; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D004343:Drug Implants; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017316:Fadrozole / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D020308:Songbirds / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D004343:Drug Implants; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D004958:Estradiol; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D017316:Fadrozole