Sexual dimorphisms in the brain underlie behavioral sex differences, but the function of individual sexually dimorphic neuronal populations is poorly understood. Neuronal sexual dimorphisms typically represent quantitative differences in cell number, gene expression, or other features, and it is unknown whether these dimorphisms control sex-typical behavior exclusively in one sex or in both sexes. The progesterone receptor (PR) controls female sexual behavior, and we find many sex differences in number, distribution, or projections of PR-expressing neurons in the adult mouse brain. Using a genetic strategy we developed, we have ablated one such dimorphic PR-expressing neuronal population located in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). Ablation of these neurons in females greatly diminishes sexual receptivity. Strikingly, the corresponding ablation in males reduces mating and aggression. Our findings reveal the functions of a molecularly defined, sexually dimorphic neuronal population in the brain. Moreover, we show that sexually dimorphic neurons can control distinct sex-typical behaviors in both sexes.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2013.04.017 | DOI Listing |
BMC Pharmacol Toxicol
January 2025
Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, 240003, Nigeria.
Background: Glia mediated neuroinflammation and degeneration of inhibitory GABAergic interneurons are some of the hall marks of pyrethroid neurotoxicity. Here we investigated the sex specific responses of inflammatory cytokines, microglia, astrocyte and parvalbumin positive inhibitory GABAergic interneurons to λ-cyhalothrin (LCT) exposures in rats.
Methods: Equal numbers of male and female rats were given oral corn oil, 2 mg/kg.
BMC Genomics
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Breeding Biotechnology and Sustainable Aquaculture, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.
Background: Due to sexual dimorphism in growth of penaeid shrimp, all-female cultivation is desirable for the aquaculture industry. 17β-estradiol (E2) has the potential to induce the male-to-female sex reversal of decapod species. However, the mechanisms behind it remain poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
This study aimed to evaluate a new modified fixed appliance for rehabilitation of premature loss of anterior teeth in preschool children versus a modified Nance appliance on maxillary arch growth with parental satisfaction. The study was conducted as a clinical trial and it was carried out at Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Tanta University. Forty preschool children from both genders aged from 3-5 years were included in the study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Endocrinol Metab
January 2025
Universidade Estadual do Ceará Instituto Superior de Ciências Biomédicas Laboratório de Fisiologia Endócrina e Metabolismo FortalezaCE Brasil Laboratório de Fisiologia Endócrina e Metabolismo, Instituto Superior de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the redox balance in subcutaneous and retroperitoneal fat pads of male and female Wistar rats.
Materials And Methods: The study analyzed the activity and gene expression of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, along with the production of NADPH oxidases dependent on HO and gene expression of NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4.
Results: The retroperitoneal fat pad in males compared with females had greater NOX2 and NOX4 expression, along with higher superoxide dismutase activity.
Proc Biol Sci
January 2025
UMR 1349, IGEPP, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Rennes, 35653 Le Rheu and 35000 Rennes, France.
Sexual conflict can arise because males and females, while sharing most of their genome, can have different phenotypic optima. Sexually dimorphic gene expression may help reduce conflict, but the expression of many genes may remain sub-optimal owing to unresolved tensions between the sexes. Asexual lineages lack such conflict, making them relevant models for understanding the extent to which sexual conflict influences gene expression.
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