Study of the function and formation of sexually dimorphic nucleus

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K08567
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Environmental physiology(including physical medicine and nutritional physiology)
• Research Institution: Saitama University
• Principal Investigator: Tsukahara Shinji 埼玉大学, 理工学研究科, 教授 (90318824)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 性的二型核 / 性ホルモン / 性分化 / 性差

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Nucleus exhibiting morphological sex differences are called sexual dimorphic nucleus. Physiological functions and formation mechanisms of sexually dimorphic nuclei are being studied for a long time; however, they have not yet been understood completely. The current study using rodent models showed that the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area is involved in the control of sexual behavior. It was also found that testicular androgens and ovarian estrogens during the puberty play an important role in the formation of sexually dimorphic nuclei.

Free Research Field

行動神経内分泌学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

性的二型核は、実験動物だけでなくヒトの脳にも存在する。本研究の成果は、単に実験動物の脳の性差を明らかにするのでなく、ヒトの脳の性差の理解に資するものである。本研究の成果を社会に発信することで、こころの性に関する理解が深まり、性的マイノリティに対する差別と偏見が無くなることが期待される。また、幾つかの神経疾患の罹患率には性差がある。このことは、疾患の発症メカニズムに性差があることを示唆しており、本研究の成果が疾患発症機構の解明に役立つ。