Sex hormones affect brain differentiation
Falk Dittrich
Sex hormone effects on sexual dimorphic development and seasonal changes of bird song include multiple mechanisms. Using a variety of molecular and cellular techniques we are studying the forebrain song control nuclei of zebra finches and canaries in terms of sex hormone dependent gene expression patterns and neuron differentiation. To study the role of sex hormone receptor signaling, we are investigating the binding sites of sex hormone receptor promoters, generating transgenic songbird models and applying viral vectors for sex hormone receptor target genes. Our goal is to develop a deeper understanding of how sex hormones affect the song control nuclei on a molecular and cellular level leading to the development of bird song.
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