Diurnal changes in the synthesis of the neurosteroid 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone stimulating locomotor activity in newts.
We recently identified 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone as a novel amphibian neurosteroid stimulating locomotor activity in newts. Because male newts show marked diurnal changes in locomotor activity, we hypothesized that 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone may be a key factor for the induction of diurnal changes in locomotor activity in male newts. In this study, we found diurnal changes in 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis in the brain of male newts, which paralleled locomotor activity. Interestingly, the production of 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone in the male newt brain increased during the dark phase when locomotor activity of males was high.
Koyama
Teppei
T
Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
Haraguchi
Shogo
S
Vaudry
Hubert
H
Tsutsui
Kazuyoshi
K
D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012455:Salamandridae / Q000378:metabolism*
C495856:7-hydroxypregnenolone; D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone