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Hormonal symphony: steroid orchestration of gene modules for sociosexual behaviors

Molecular Psychiatry volume 9, pages 550–556 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Genes induced by estrogens in the mammalian forebrain influence a variety of neural functions. Among them, reproductive behavior mechanisms are very well understood. Their functional genomics provide a theoretical paradigm for linking genes to neural circuits to behavior. We propose that estrogen-induced genes are organized in modules: Growth of hypothalamic neurons; Amplification of the estrogen effect by progesterone; Preparative behaviors; Permissive actions on sex behavior circuitry; and Synchronization of mating behavior with ovulation. These modules may represent mechanistic routes for CNS management of successful reproduction. Moreover, new microarray results add estrogen-dependent genes, including some expressed in glia, suggesting possible hormone-dependent neuronal/glial coordination.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NIH grant HD-05751. Illustrations were created by Par Parekh.

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  1. The Laboratory of Neurobiology and Behavior Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA

    J A Mong & D W Pfaff

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Correspondence to J A Mong.

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Mong, J., Pfaff, D. Hormonal symphony: steroid orchestration of gene modules for sociosexual behaviors. Mol Psychiatry 9, 550–556 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4001493

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