Function of sexually dimorphic cell groups for sexually dimorphic behavior

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06414
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 46020:Anatomy and histopathology of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: Toho University
• Principal Investigator: Tsuneoka Yousuke 東邦大学, 医学部, 准教授 (50549011)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 船戸 弘正 東邦大学, 医学部, 教授 (90363118)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 性的二型 / 内側視索前野 / 性行動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To verify the function of sexually dimorphic cell groups in the medial preoptic area of hypothalamus, we analyzed the anatomy of those cells, as well as their function by manipulating neural activity using genetically engineered mice and adeno-associated virus. Even within the sexually dimorphic group of cells, sex steroid hormones' sensitivity differed among cell types. We developed a multiple ISH method to histologically clarify the timing of activity of these cells. Based on this information, we performed manipulation experiments and identified a group of neurons involved in the motivational regulation of sexual behavior.

Free Research Field

神経解剖学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで、性的二型核はその存在は知られていたものの、どのような種類の細胞なのかは明らかになっていなかった。また、どれだけの種類の細胞があるのかについても不明であった。本研究では内側視索前野の性的二型核に存在する細胞群として3種類の細胞を同定するとともに、その機能の一端を明らかにした。また、その過程で新規のイメージング技術の開発にも成功した。