The Effect of Steroid Hormones on Brain Regions in the Green Anole Lizard
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
21-4-2014 10:00 AM
End Date
21-4-2014 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Rachel Cohen
Mentor's Email Address
rachel.cohen@mnsu.edu
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Seasonally breeding animals offer a distinct advantage in the study of changes to the brain, because these animals experience dramatic seasonal changes in both the brain and the behaviors associated with these seasonal changes. In order to examine the link between hormone levels and changes in the brain, we examined the seasonally breeding green anole lizard, Anolis carolinensis. In the experiment, we used tissue from animals that were used in a previous experiment. Male anole lizards were caught during their breeding season in April. These lizards were anesthetized a week after arrival and all testicular tissue was removed. While under surgery, a hormone-filled capsule was inserted under the skin of each animal. Animals were given one of the following capsules: testosterone, estradiol, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or an empty capsule as a control. One month after the surgery the brains were collected, sectioned on a cryostat and mounted onto slides. We will stain the brain tissue using thionin. Under a microscope, we will determine the volume of three brain regions that are involved in reproductive behavior. We will also count the neurons in these regions and determine their size. We expect to see an increase in the volume and number of the cells of the brain regions in animals given hormone-filled capsules when compared to animals given an empty capsule. We also expect that testosterone will most likely have the biggest effect on growth of the brain regions because it can be converted into both estrogen and DHT.
The Effect of Steroid Hormones on Brain Regions in the Green Anole Lizard
CSU Ballroom
Seasonally breeding animals offer a distinct advantage in the study of changes to the brain, because these animals experience dramatic seasonal changes in both the brain and the behaviors associated with these seasonal changes. In order to examine the link between hormone levels and changes in the brain, we examined the seasonally breeding green anole lizard, Anolis carolinensis. In the experiment, we used tissue from animals that were used in a previous experiment. Male anole lizards were caught during their breeding season in April. These lizards were anesthetized a week after arrival and all testicular tissue was removed. While under surgery, a hormone-filled capsule was inserted under the skin of each animal. Animals were given one of the following capsules: testosterone, estradiol, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or an empty capsule as a control. One month after the surgery the brains were collected, sectioned on a cryostat and mounted onto slides. We will stain the brain tissue using thionin. Under a microscope, we will determine the volume of three brain regions that are involved in reproductive behavior. We will also count the neurons in these regions and determine their size. We expect to see an increase in the volume and number of the cells of the brain regions in animals given hormone-filled capsules when compared to animals given an empty capsule. We also expect that testosterone will most likely have the biggest effect on growth of the brain regions because it can be converted into both estrogen and DHT.
Recommended Citation
Gilbert, Brian; Patrick Connolly; and Steven Gilbert. "The Effect of Steroid Hormones on Brain Regions in the Green Anole Lizard." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 21, 2014.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2014/poster_session_A/11
