Sex differences in neuromuscular androgen receptor expression and sociosexual behavior in a sex changing fish.

ABSTRACT: Androgen signaling, via receptor binding, is critical for regulating the physiological and morphological foundations of male-typical reproductive behavior in vertebrates. Muscles essential for male courtship behavior and copulation are highly sensitive to androgens. Differences in the distribution and density of the androgen receptor (AR) are important for maintaining dimorphic musculature and thus may provide for anatomical identification of sexually selected traits. In Lythrypnus dalli, a bi-directional hermaphroditic teleost fish, both sexes produce agonistic approach displays, but reproductive behavior is sexually dimorphic. The male-specific courtship behavior is characterized by rapid jerky movements (involving dorsal fin erection) towards a female or around their nest. Activation of

SUBMITTER: Schuppe ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5433761 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature