title: Tracheosyringeal nerve transection in juvenile male zebra finches decreases BDNF in HVC and RA and the projection between them.
abstract: This study investigated relationships among disruption of normal vocal learning, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and the morphology of song nuclei in juvenile male zebra finches. The tracheosyringeal nerves were bilaterally transected at post-hatching day 20-25, so that the animals could not properly develop species-typical vocalizations. BDNF protein and the projection from HVC to the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) were quantified during the sensorimotor integration phase of song development. The manipulation decreased the number of BDNF cells in HVC and RA, the volume of these areas defined by BDNF labeling, and the projection from HVC to RA. BDNF was not affected in Area X or the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium (LMAN). Thus, inhibition of a bird's ability to practice and/or to hear its own typically developing song specifically diminishes BDNF expression in cortical motor regions required for song production.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University, Department of Psychology, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Michigan State University, Neuroscience Program, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States. Electronic address: tangyupi@msu.edu.
authors.forename: Yu Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University, Department of Psychology, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Michigan State University, Department of Zoology, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States; Michigan State University, Neuroscience Program, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States.
authors.forename: Juli
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wade
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000378:metabolism; D046369:Finches / Q000502:physiology*; D053400:High Vocal Center / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000378:metabolism*; D014132:Trachea / Q000294:innervation; D014828:Vocalization, Animal
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
keywords: Motor system; Neurotrophin; Sexual differentiation; Song system