摘要
Objective To observe the sexual differences in electrophysiological properties of neurons in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium （RA） in adult zebra finches, and to provide the direct electrophysiological evidence for the sexual dimorphism of birdsong. Methods Whole-cell recording was used to record the spontaneous action potential firing rates from RA projection neurons in acute brain slices. Results The projection neurons of RA in male birds fired spontaneously at 10 Hz or above, while in female birds, the frequency was significantly lower, and even no firings could be detected. Conclusion There is a sexual difference in electrophysiological properties of projection neurons in RA, which may result from the difference in the levels of steroid hormones in birds.
目的通过观察神经元在电生理特性方面的性别差异,为鸣禽鸣唱行为性别二态性提供新证据。方法采用脑片膜片钳全细胞模式,记录成年斑胸草雀弓状皮质栎核(RA)投射神经元的动作电位自发放。结果雄鸟RA核团投射神经元均有一定频率的自发放,且多数神经元的自发放频率超过10Hz。而雌鸟RA核团投射神经元的自发放频率相对较低,甚至无自发放。结论成年斑胸草雀RA核团神经元的电生理特性存在较大的性别差异。导致这种发放活动差异的主要原因可能是雌雄鸣禽体内及相关脑区激素水平的差异。
基金
supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30970363,30570232)
the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China (No. 05005910)
