The neural mechanisms underlying the regulation of aggressive behaviors in male medaka fish

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K07590
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Aquatic life science
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: KAGAWA Nao 近畿大学, 理工学部, 准教授 (80351568)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 攻撃行動 / 雄間競争 / 神経ペプチド / メダカ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we examined the neural mechanisms underlying the regulation of aggressive and submissive behaviors by neuropeptide hormone (arginine vasotocin; AVT) in male medaka fish. We demonstrated that the neurons with high expression of AVT mainly send their fibers into the distinct brain regions between the aggressive (dominant) male and the submissive (subordinate) male after their competition. The different subtypes of AVT-receptors (AVT-R) was shown at a high level in each brain region of the dominants and the subordinates. In addition, we conducted a preliminary contest between two males of the AVT-R gene knock-out medaka. These males have similar high aggression throughout the contest.

Free Research Field

水圏生命科学