| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,030,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥930,000)
Fiscal Year 2017: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000)
Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
Fiscal Year 2015: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000)
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
Mating has positive effects on both physical and social wellbeing of individuals such as anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects in a number of mammalian species, including humans and rodents. These beneficial effects are brought about by both hormonal and neurophysiological changes. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating these effects are not completely understood. In our study, sexual behavior produced antidepressant-like behavior in male mice as evidenced by lower immobility time in the forced swim test compared to controls. There was also an increase in the phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in their hippocampi. Application of MEK inhibitor inhibited the phosphorylation of CREB in the hippocampus induced by male sexual behavior. Non-sexual behavior had no effect on CREB phosphorylation. These findings suggest that male sexual behavior has antidepressant effects through phosphorylation of CREB in the hippocampus in male mice.
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