Song in an Affiliative Context Relates to the Neural Expression of Dopamine- and Neurotensin-Related Genes in Male European Starlings.

ABSTRACT: Some animals, including songbirds, vocalize at high rates when alone or in large groups. In songbirds, vocal behavior in these contexts is important for song learning and group cohesion. It is not obviously targeted at any particular individual and is described as 'undirected'. Studies suggest a role for dopamine (DA) in undirected song. The neuropeptide neurotensin (NT) can enhance dopaminergic signaling upon binding to the NT receptor 1 (NTR1) and is found in regions where DA can influence song, including the ventral tegmental area (VTA), septum, and the song control nucleus Area X. To begin to test the hypothesis that NT and DA in these regions interact to influence undirected song, we used quantitative real-time PCR to relate undirected singing to mRNA expression of NT, NTR1, tyrosine

SUBMITTER: Merullo DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5121024 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature