Steroidogenic enzyme gene expression in the brain of the parthenogenetic whiptail lizard, Cnemidophorus uniparens.

ABSTRACT: The steroidogenic enzyme CYP17 is responsible for catalyzing the production of androgenic precursors, while CYP19 converts testosterone to estradiol. De novo neurosteroidogenesis in specific brain regions influences steroid hormone dependent behaviors. In the all-female lizard species Cnemidophorus uniparens, individuals alternately display both male-like mounting and female-like receptivity. Mounting is associated with high circulating concentrations of progesterone following ovulation (PostOv), while receptivity is correlated with estrogen preceding it (PreOv). At a neuroanatomical level, the preoptic area (POA) and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) are the foci of the male-typical mounting and female-typical receptivity, respectively. In this study, we indirectly test the h

SUBMITTER: Dias BG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2642926 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature