Neurosteroids and brain sexual differentiation.
There is new evidence that the brain of developing songbirds can synthesize estradiol de novo. In males, this neurally derived estrogen might masculinize a connection within the neural song system. These results challenge traditional concepts about mechanisms of brain sexual differentiation and reveal a significant function for neurosteroids.
Schlinger
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Dept of Physiological Science and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1527, USA. schlinge@lifesci.ucla.edu
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London
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D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012733:Sex Differentiation; D020308:Songbirds
D004958:Estradiol