Fall Research Expo 2020

Neural Circuitry for Female Reproductive Behavior in Songbirds

My project aims to investigate the neural circuitry of female reproductive behavior in songbirds, more specifically in the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus Ater). The ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus serves as the center of female reproductive behavior in mammals. Additionally, the VMH is considered necessary for evoking lordosis, a sexually receptive behavior in female rodents. Our knowledge of the involvement of the VMH in reproductive behaviors in the avian brain is lesser known, however it has been shown that implants of estradiol in VMH activate female courtship behaviors. There is an analogous behavior to lordosis known as the copulation solicitation display or CSD that is exhibited in female birds. My goal is to investigate the connectivity of VMH within the female cowbird and how it may influence the activity of other brain areas.

PRESENTED BY
College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant
College of Arts & Sciences 2022
Advised By
Marc Schmidt
Professor of Biology, Co-Director, Undergraduate Neuroscience Program
Join Elena for a virtual discussion
PRESENTED BY
College Alumni Society Undergraduate Research Grant
College of Arts & Sciences 2022
Advised By
Marc Schmidt
Professor of Biology, Co-Director, Undergraduate Neuroscience Program

Comments

I love the model shown here--it makes the neural circuit clear and straightforward to understand. Do you anticipate performing experiments during the fall where you prime with hormones to replicate "spring conditions" and then test whether stimulation of the pathway still increases reproductive behavior?