Seasonal changes in the synthesis of the neurosteroid 7α- hydroxypregnenolone stimulating locomotor activity in newts

Shogo Haraguchi, Masahiro Matsunaga, Teppei Koyama, Jean Luc Do Rego, Kazuyoshi Tsutsui*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    10 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We recently found that the newt brain actively produces 7α-hydroxypregnenolone, a novel amphibian neurosteroid stimulating locomotor activity. It is well known that locomotor activity of male newts increases during the breeding period. To understand the physiological role of 7α-hydroxypregnenolone, we investigated seasonal changes in 7α-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis in the brain of male newts. Interestingly, 7α-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis in the brain showed marked changes during the annual breeding cycle, with a maximal level in the breeding period when locomotor activity of male newts increases. These results suggest that 7α-hydroxypregnenolone induces seasonal locomotor changes in male newts.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
    Pages410-413
    Number of pages4
    Volume1163
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009 Apr

    Publication series

    NameAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
    Volume1163
    ISSN (Print)00778923
    ISSN (Electronic)17496632

    Keywords

    • 7α-hydroxypregnenolone
    • Locomotor activity
    • Neurosteroids
    • Newts
    • Seasonal changes

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

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