Neuroendocrine control of song in the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis)
Dates
Year
2000
Citation
Dloniak, Stephanie Marie, 2000, Neuroendocrine control of song in the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis): University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Summary
This dissertation includes three discrete projects addressing various aspects of the neuroendocrine control of song in the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), a migratory songbird. Specifically, the roles of testosterone, photoperiodic condition [length of daylight], opioids, and age were investigated with respect to song production and neural plasticity in the regions of the brain that control song (vocal control regions, VCRs). I found that, in males photoperiodic condition and testosterone interact to regulate seasonal VCR volume plasticity, whereas testosterone alone controls song production. The opioid system is probably not involved in VCR plasticity or song production, but is indicated to play a role in song learning or auditory [...]
Summary
This dissertation includes three discrete projects addressing various aspects of the neuroendocrine control of song in the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), a migratory songbird. Specifically, the roles of testosterone, photoperiodic condition [length of daylight], opioids, and age were investigated with respect to song production and neural plasticity in the regions of the brain that control song (vocal control regions, VCRs). I found that, in males photoperiodic condition and testosterone interact to regulate seasonal VCR volume plasticity, whereas testosterone alone controls song production. The opioid system is probably not involved in VCR plasticity or song production, but is indicated to play a role in song learning or auditory processing. Finally, VCR volumes and song production do not differ with age in photostimulated adult male juncos
