Sexual differences and effect of photoperiod on melatonin receptor in avian brain.

摘要: Several data suggest that melatonin may influence avian reproduction by acting at the level of hypothalamic-hypophisial-gonadal axis, and/or on neural circuits controlling reproductive behaviours. The action is exerted through specific receptors whose distribution and pharmacological properties have been extensively investigated. This review will focus distribution, sexual dimorphism, dependence upon photoperiod binding sites in species with a special emphasis Japanese quail. Melatonin are widely distributed brain. They mostly present visual pathways all investigated song nuclei oscine birds. Sexual dimorphism (higher density males than females) was detected some telencephalic songbirds, pathways, preoptic area last region plays key role activation male quail copulatory behaviour it hosts large population gonadotropin-releasing hormone-containing neurons. melatonin-binding above-mentioned regions suggests differential for this hormone modulation perception, gonadotropin production, seasonally activated behaviours female Further studies necessary to understand interrelationships among photic cues, gonadal steroids, density, sexually dimorphic receptors. Microsc. Res. Tech. 55:37–47, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.