去势对成年雄性斑胸草雀HVC神经元电生理特性的影响

Castration-Modulated Electrophysiological Properties of HVC Neurons in Adult Male Zebra Finches

  • 摘要: 鸣唱控制系统的高级发声中枢HVC(high vocal center)是发声运动通路和前端脑通路的始端,是发声行为的起始控制脑区,亦可接受听觉信号的输入及反馈,是鸣禽鸣唱调控最为重要的脑区.以往研究表明,雄激素及其代谢产物对鸣禽鸣唱控制有重要作用.去势显著改变鸣禽体内激素含量,进而影响鸣禽鸣曲稳定性,但其具体机制尚未阐明.我们运用全细胞膜片钳记录法,在离体细胞水平研究了去势引起的雄激素水平降低对HVC不同神经元电生理特性的影响.研究结果显示,去势组与对照组相比,投射神经元HVCRA,HVCX膜输入电阻减小,膜时间常数降低,动作电位后超极化幅值升高及达到峰值时间延长,表明雄激素可以提高两类投射神经元的兴奋性. 综上所述,雄激素可以一定程度上提高HVC神经元的兴奋性,雄激素可增强HVC对发声运动通路(vocal motor pathway,VMP)的控制,抑制前端脑通路(anterior forebrain pathway,AFP)来实现维持鸣曲的稳定.

     

    Abstract: The nucleus HVC (high vocal center) within the avian motor cortex is the initial part of two song control pathways, which are vocal motor and anterior forebrain pathway. HVC also receive the feedback of the auditory signal. Androgens (testosterone) play an important role in control birdsong. Castration can decrease levels of plasma testosterone and change song stability. In this study, we investigated the effect of castration on electrophysiological properties of neurons in the HVC of adult male zebra finches. The bird was castrated and HVC neurons were electrophysiological recorded using patch clamp recording. We found that membrane time constants, and input resistance of HVC projection neurons (HVCRA and HVCX) in the castration group were lower than those of the control group. Afterhyperpolarization(AHP) time to peak and amplitude of action potential was prolonged after castration. These findings suggest that castration decreases excitability of HVC projection neurons and song stability in male zebra finches. In conclusion, androgen can enhance the excitability of HVC projection neurons. Androgens can activate the VMP pathway and inhibit the AFP pathway to maintain the stability of the song.

     

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