he Scientist magazine and LiveScience.com both recently reported on a study conducted by Nirao Shah and his team at the University of California which was published this past Thursday in the journal Cell. The study suggested that when sex hormones turn genes in the brain on or off, certain behaviors are altered. The researchers focused on 16 genes in the hypothalamus of the mouse brain that are expressed differently between males and females and affected by the presence of sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. Looking specifically at these 16 hormone-reactive genes, the researchers observed mice which lacked one of the genes to see if they demonstrated any abnormalities in some specific sexual or parental behavior. Female mice which lacked Cckar, a gene which influences feeding and metabolism, were far less responsive to the advances of males while their maternal instincts to care for and protect their pups remained normal. Females lacking Irs4, a gene affecting maternal protective instincts, were less defensive against intruders in the nest and less watchful of straying pups. Males missing the Tytl4 gene which regulates mating behavior still acted as normal males and impregnated females but their mating strategies were slightly altered. Male mice without the Brsr3 gene were more aggressive sexually and in defense against other males. Many researchers are already aware of the impact sex hormones have on behavior but little is understood about the mechanisms behind this process. This research suggests that certain behaviors can be traced to genetics. It may also suggest that hormones and genes in human brains react to construct certain behaviors and further study in this area could also help explain why certain mental illnesses such as autism and ADHD may affect females and males disproportionally.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Study Reveals that Hormones Influence Genes Controlling Gender Expression in Mice
The Scientist magazine and LiveScience.com both recently reported on a study conducted by Nirao Shah and his team at the University of California which was published this past Thursday in the journal Cell. The study suggested that when sex hormones turn genes in the brain on or off, certain behaviors are altered. The researchers focused on 16 genes in the hypothalamus of the mouse brain that are expressed differently between males and females and affected by the presence of sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. Looking specifically at these 16 hormone-reactive genes, the researchers observed mice which lacked one of the genes to see if they demonstrated any abnormalities in some specific sexual or parental behavior. Female mice which lacked Cckar, a gene which influences feeding and metabolism, were far less responsive to the advances of males while their maternal instincts to care for and protect their pups remained normal. Females lacking Irs4, a gene affecting maternal protective instincts, were less defensive against intruders in the nest and less watchful of straying pups. Males missing the Tytl4 gene which regulates mating behavior still acted as normal males and impregnated females but their mating strategies were slightly altered. Male mice without the Brsr3 gene were more aggressive sexually and in defense against other males. Many researchers are already aware of the impact sex hormones have on behavior but little is understood about the mechanisms behind this process. This research suggests that certain behaviors can be traced to genetics. It may also suggest that hormones and genes in human brains react to construct certain behaviors and further study in this area could also help explain why certain mental illnesses such as autism and ADHD may affect females and males disproportionally.
he Scientist magazine and LiveScience.com both recently reported on a study conducted by Nirao Shah and his team at the University of California which was published this past Thursday in the journal Cell. The study suggested that when sex hormones turn genes in the brain on or off, certain behaviors are altered. The researchers focused on 16 genes in the hypothalamus of the mouse brain that are expressed differently between males and females and affected by the presence of sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. Looking specifically at these 16 hormone-reactive genes, the researchers observed mice which lacked one of the genes to see if they demonstrated any abnormalities in some specific sexual or parental behavior. Female mice which lacked Cckar, a gene which influences feeding and metabolism, were far less responsive to the advances of males while their maternal instincts to care for and protect their pups remained normal. Females lacking Irs4, a gene affecting maternal protective instincts, were less defensive against intruders in the nest and less watchful of straying pups. Males missing the Tytl4 gene which regulates mating behavior still acted as normal males and impregnated females but their mating strategies were slightly altered. Male mice without the Brsr3 gene were more aggressive sexually and in defense against other males. Many researchers are already aware of the impact sex hormones have on behavior but little is understood about the mechanisms behind this process. This research suggests that certain behaviors can be traced to genetics. It may also suggest that hormones and genes in human brains react to construct certain behaviors and further study in this area could also help explain why certain mental illnesses such as autism and ADHD may affect females and males disproportionally.
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