Structural molecular basis of regulatory mechanism of male sexual behavior promoted by sexual experience

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18574
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Morphology/Structure
• Research Institution: Saitama University
• Principal Investigator: MAEJIMA Sho 埼玉大学, 理工学研究科, 研究支援者 (10773286)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 雄性行動 / 性経験 / 内側視索前核

Outline of Final Research Achievements

VGF, a neuropeptide expressing in the central part of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPNc: a regulatory center of male sexual behavior of rats), was identified as a candidate molecule whose expression changes after sexual experience by DNA microarray analysis. Histological analysis revealed that a part of MPNc neurons which activity is increased by sexual experience express VGF. An adeno-associated virus vector knocking down the expression of VGF was generated and behavioral analysis of male rat which administered virus vector into the MPNc revealed that VGF is involved in enhancement of sexual behavior after experience.

Free Research Field

神経科学・神経内分泌学