Seasonal changes in the synthesis of the neurosteroid 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone stimulating locomotor activity in newts.
We recently found that the newt brain actively produces 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, a novel amphibian neurosteroid stimulating locomotor activity. It is well known that locomotor activity of male newts increases during the breeding period. To understand the physiological role of 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone, we investigated seasonal changes in 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis in the brain of male newts. Interestingly, 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis in the brain showed marked changes during the annual breeding cycle, with a maximal level in the breeding period when locomotor activity of male newts increases. These results suggest that 7alpha-hydroxypregnenolone induces seasonal locomotor changes in male newts.
Haraguchi
Shogo
S
Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
Matsunaga
Masahiro
M
Koyama
Teppei
T
Do Rego
Jean-Luc
JL
Tsutsui
Kazuyoshi
K
D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D012455:Salamandridae / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons
C495856:7-hydroxypregnenolone; D006907:17-alpha-Hydroxypregnenolone