Document Detail


Rapid behavioral response to corticosterone varies with photoperiod and dose.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10712855     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The magnitude of the adrenocortical response to stress can be modulated by a variety of environmental and physiological factors, such as daylength and body condition. To determine the consequences of this modulation for the organism, one also needs to investigate behavioral sensitivity to glucocorticoids. We examined the behavioral response of Gambel's white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) to elevated glucocorticoids. Using a behavioral assay in which a rapid and transient dose of corticosterone (CORT: the avian glucocorticoid) rapidly increases perch hopping, we first investigated the photoperiodic regulation of this behavioral response. Intermediate levels of CORT ( approximately 24 ng/ml), which increased activity in sparrows exposed to a long-day (breeding) photoperiod, had no behavioral effect in sparrows exposed to a short-day (winter) photoperiod. Hence, the neural mechanisms which regulate the behavioral response to CORT appear to be less sensitive under a winter photoperiod. Using the same behavioral assay, we also measured a dose-response curve for CORT's effects on activity in sparrows exposed to the long-day photoperiod. Intermediate levels (24 and 40 ng/ml) increased activity to threefold background levels, whereas high physiological levels (65 and 97 ng/ml) had no effect. Given that the behavioral response does not increase linearly with CORT, we can no longer assume that modulation of the adrenocortical response to stress will result in linear changes in behavior.
Authors:
C W Breuner; J C Wingfield
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Hormones and behavior     Volume:  37     ISSN:  0018-506X     ISO Abbreviation:  Horm Behav     Publication Date:  2000 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2000-04-25     Completed Date:  2000-04-25     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0217764     Medline TA:  Horm Behav     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  23-30     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
Corticosterone / administration & dosage,  blood,  pharmacology*
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Photoperiod*
Radioimmunoassay
Songbirds / physiology*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
50-22-6/Corticosterone

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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