Unraveling the Role of Thyroid Hormones in Seasonal Neuroplasticity in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).

ABSTRACT: Thyroid hormones clearly play a role in the seasonal regulation of reproduction, but any role they might play in song behavior and the associated seasonal neuroplasticity in songbirds remains to be elucidated. To pursue this question, we first established seasonal patterns in the expression of thyroid hormone regulating genes in male European starlings employing in situ hybridization methods. Thyroid hormone transporter LAT1 expression in the song nucleus HVC was elevated during the photosensitive phase, pointing toward an active role of thyroid hormones during this window of possible neuroplasticity. In contrast, DIO3 expression was high in HVC during the photostimulated phase, limiting the possible effect of thyroid hormones to maintain song stability during the breeding season. N

SUBMITTER: Orije JEMJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9275473 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature