Journal article
Photoperiod regulation of neuron death in the adult canary
Journal of neurobiology, Vol.33(3), pp.223-231
09/1997
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/105352
PMID: 9298761
Abstract
The avian brain undergoes naturally occurring cell death and neuronal replacement in adulthood. Little is known about how neuron survival in adult birds is regulated. However, previous work suggests that this process is open to environmental control. We now report that a reduction in day length from springlike to fall‐like conditions can dramatically increase cell death in adult male canaries. Many of the dying cells are projection neurons in the motor pathway controlling song learning and production. Circulating levels of gonadal steroids were not correlated with photoperiod‐induced changes in the magnitude of cell death. Our results suggest that neuronal death in adult male canaries is regulated by seasonal changes in photoperiod, and that this occurs independent of chronic changes in gonadal steroid hormone levels. Day length may serve as a predictive environmental cue to time cell death in accordance with seasonal reproduction. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 33: 223–231, 1997
This is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
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Details
- Title
- Photoperiod regulation of neuron death in the adult canary
- Creators
- John R KirnHubert Schwabl
- Publication Details
- Journal of neurobiology, Vol.33(3), pp.223-231
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc; New York
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- NIH (NS29843; MH49877)
- Identifiers
- 99900547066701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article