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Effects of Hormones on the Nervous System and Behavior 2.0

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2022) | Viewed by 9569

Special Issue Editor

Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 130-17 Kashino, Ushimado, Setouchi, Okayama 701-4303, Japan
Interests: neuroendocrinology; neuropeptides; sex steroids; central nervous system; autonomic nervous system; socio-sexual behaviors; sexual dimorphism in the brain; spinal cord; hypothalamus
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Instinct behaviors are inherent in most animals. These control mechanisms are formed and maintained by complicated neural circuits. The neurohypophysial hormones (neuropeptides) oxytocin and vasopressin control a series of behaviors, including territorial behavior, courtship behavior, pair bonding, reproductive behavior, and nurturing behavior, in addition to the peripheral functions; e.g., antidiuretic and reproductive functions. Steroid hormones, such as sex steroids and corticosteroids, also regulate various social behaviors, including sexual, aggressive, and parental behaviors, food intake, stress responses, mood regulation, and social anxiety, and modulate the somatosensory system and inflammation. Considering how these behaviors at the organismal level are regulated, “hormonal regulations” appear to play an important role in these behaviors in addition to neural activation. However, we do not fully understand how and when “hormones” act on the nervous system and regulate these behaviors.

This Special Issue aims to collect state-of-the-art primary research studies and review articles from international experts and diverse leading groups in the field to update our current understanding of neuroendocrinological mechanisms underlying courtship–reproductive behavior, pair bonding, nurturing, biological rhythms, fear, anxiety, escape, food intake, the somatosensory system, stress response/coping, and any other social behaviors. Suitable studies that use both vertebrates and invertebrates are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Hirotaka Sakamoto
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • neuroendocrinology
  • neuropeptides
  • steroid hormones
  • central nervous system
  • autonomic nervous system
  • behavior
  • sexual behavior
  • social behavior
  • stress responses
  • mood disorder

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4470 KiB  
Article
Etonogestrel Administration Reduces the Expression of PHOX2B and Its Target Genes in the Solitary Tract Nucleus
by Silvia Cardani, Tara A. Janes, Jasmeen K. Saini, Simona Di Lascio, Roberta Benfante, Diego Fornasari and Silvia Pagliardini
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(9), 4816; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms23094816 - 27 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1968
Abstract
Heterozygous mutations of the transcription factor PHOX2B are responsible for Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by inadequate respiratory response to hypercapnia and life-threatening hypoventilation during sleep. Although no cure is currently available, it was suggested that a potent progestin drug [...] Read more.
Heterozygous mutations of the transcription factor PHOX2B are responsible for Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by inadequate respiratory response to hypercapnia and life-threatening hypoventilation during sleep. Although no cure is currently available, it was suggested that a potent progestin drug provides partial recovery of chemoreflex response. Previous in vitro data show a direct molecular link between progestins and PHOX2B expression. However, the mechanism through which these drugs ameliorate breathing in vivo remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic administration of the potent progestin drug Etonogestrel (ETO) on respiratory function and transcriptional activity in adult female rats. We assessed respiratory function with whole-body plethysmography and measured genomic changes in brain regions important for respiratory control. Our results show that ETO reduced metabolic activity, leading to an enhanced chemoreflex response and concurrent increased breathing cycle variability at rest. Furthermore, ETO-treated brains showed reduced mRNA and protein expression of PHOX2B and its target genes selectively in the dorsal vagal complex, while other areas were unaffected. Histological analysis suggests that changes occurred in the solitary tract nucleus (NTS). Thus, we propose that the NTS, rich in both progesterone receptors and PHOX2B, is a good candidate for ETO-induced respiratory modulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Hormones on the Nervous System and Behavior 2.0)
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19 pages, 2048 KiB  
Article
Prothoracicostatic Activity of the Ecdysis-Regulating Neuropeptide Crustacean Cardioactive Peptide (CCAP) in the Desert Locust
by Lina Verbakel, Cynthia Lenaerts, Rania Abou El Asrar, Caroline Zandecki, Evert Bruyninckx, Emilie Monjon, Elisabeth Marchal and Jozef Vanden Broeck
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(24), 13465; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms222413465 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2283
Abstract
Accurate control of innate behaviors associated with developmental transitions requires functional integration of hormonal and neural signals. Insect molting is regulated by a set of neuropeptides, which trigger periodic pulses in ecdysteroid hormone titers and coordinate shedding of the old cuticle during ecdysis. [...] Read more.
Accurate control of innate behaviors associated with developmental transitions requires functional integration of hormonal and neural signals. Insect molting is regulated by a set of neuropeptides, which trigger periodic pulses in ecdysteroid hormone titers and coordinate shedding of the old cuticle during ecdysis. In the current study, we demonstrate that crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP), a structurally conserved neuropeptide described to induce the ecdysis motor program, also exhibits a previously unknown prothoracicostatic activity to regulate ecdysteroid production in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. We identified the locust genes encoding the CCAP precursor and three G protein-coupled receptors that are activated by CCAP with EC50 values in the (sub)nanomolar range. Spatiotemporal expression profiles of the receptors revealed expression in the prothoracic glands, the endocrine organs where ecdysteroidogenesis occurs. RNAi-mediated knockdown of CCAP precursor or receptors resulted in significantly elevated transcript levels of several Halloween genes, which encode ecdysteroid biosynthesis enzymes, and in elevated ecdysteroid levels one day prior to ecdysis. Moreover, prothoracic gland explants exhibited decreased secretion of ecdysteroids in the presence of CCAP. Our results unequivocally identify CCAP as the first prothoracicostatic peptide discovered in a hemimetabolan species and reveal the existence of an intricate interplay between CCAP signaling and ecdysteroidogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Hormones on the Nervous System and Behavior 2.0)
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15 pages, 2906 KiB  
Article
Sexual Experience Induces the Expression of Gastrin-Releasing Peptide and Oxytocin Receptors in the Spinal Ejaculation Generator in Rats
by Takumi Oti, Ryota Ueda, Ryoko Kumagai, Junta Nagafuchi, Takashi Ito, Tatsuya Sakamoto, Yasuhiko Kondo and Hirotaka Sakamoto
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(19), 10362; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms221910362 - 26 Sep 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2522
Abstract
Male sexual function in mammals is controlled by the brain neural circuits and the spinal cord centers located in the lamina X of the lumbar spinal cord (L3–L4). Recently, we reported that hypothalamic oxytocin neurons project to the lumbar spinal cord to activate [...] Read more.
Male sexual function in mammals is controlled by the brain neural circuits and the spinal cord centers located in the lamina X of the lumbar spinal cord (L3–L4). Recently, we reported that hypothalamic oxytocin neurons project to the lumbar spinal cord to activate the neurons located in the dorsal lamina X of the lumbar spinal cord (dXL) via oxytocin receptors, thereby facilitating male sexual activity. Sexual experiences can influence male sexual activity in rats. However, how this experience affects the brain–spinal cord neural circuits underlying male sexual activity remains unknown. Focusing on dXL neurons that are innervated by hypothalamic oxytocinergic neurons controlling male sexual function, we examined whether sexual experience affects such neural circuits. We found that >50% of dXL neurons were activated in the first ejaculation group and ~30% in the control and intromission groups in sexually naïve males. In contrast, in sexually experienced males, ~50% of dXL neurons were activated in both the intromission and ejaculation groups, compared to ~30% in the control group. Furthermore, sexual experience induced expressions of gastrin-releasing peptide and oxytocin receptors in the lumbar spinal cord. This is the first demonstration of the effects of sexual experience on molecular expressions in the neural circuits controlling male sexual activity in the spinal cord. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Hormones on the Nervous System and Behavior 2.0)
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19 pages, 2666 KiB  
Article
Effects of Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Childhood Exercise on Maternal Behaviors in Female Rats at Postpartum: A Role of Oxtr Methylation in the Hypothalamus
by Yi-Ju Lee, Hwai-Ting Lin, Muhammad Asad Chaudhary, Yi-Ching Lee and Dean-Chuan Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 9847; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijms22189847 - 12 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2099
Abstract
Both the detrimental effect of prenatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) and the beneficial effects of physical exercise on brain functions have been reported. The oxytocin pathway has been implicated in the onset of maternal behaviors. Epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) [...] Read more.
Both the detrimental effect of prenatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) and the beneficial effects of physical exercise on brain functions have been reported. The oxytocin pathway has been implicated in the onset of maternal behaviors. Epigenetic modification of the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) through DNA methylation has been associated with the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal DEHP exposure on oxytocin-regulated maternal behaviors and to examine the protective effect of exercise. Pregnant rats (F0) were fed with vehicle or DEHP during gestation and the offspring females (F1) were assessed for their maternal behaviors by pup retrieval test at postpartum. The results showed that reduced pup retrieval activities without significant alteration of stress responses were observed in the prenatally DEHP-exposed females. Prenatal DEHP exposure decreased the expressions of oxytocin, Oxtr mRNA, and oxytocin receptor, and increased Oxtr methylation in the hypothalamus of postpartum female rats. There were no significant effects of exercise on behavioral, biochemical, and epigenetic measurements. These results suggest that prenatal DEHP exposure has a long-term adverse effect on maternal behaviors; Oxtr hyper-methylation may be a potential epigenetic mechanism for this alteration, which cannot be prevented by physical exercise during childhood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Hormones on the Nervous System and Behavior 2.0)
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