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The SHR Y Chromosome: Involvement in mechanisms influencing learning, memory, and aggression in the rodent model

Toot, Jonathan
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1195484838

Abstract Details

2007, PHD, Kent State University, College of Biomedical Sciences.
The goal of this research was to establish the SHR/y and WKY males as an animal model to study the SHR Y chromosome in relationship to learning, memory, and also aggression. After this, the focus of the remaining studies were then to identify novel neural, physiological, and genetic mechanisms involving the Y chromosome, and more specifically, the transcription factor Sry in these previously mentioned behavioral processes. Previous work in our lab has identified that the SHR Y chromosome contributes to various physiological phenotypes of increased sympathetic nervous system activity, elevated pre-pubertal testosterone, increased stress responsiveness, and also decreased brain serotonin content. Therefore, the hypotheses of the following aims include: Aim I, the SHR Y chromosome impairs learning and memory water maze performance using the morris water maze; Aim II, the SHR Y chromosome increases behavioral and physiological indices of aggression; and Aim III, the candidate gene, Sry, is responsible for the impaired maze performance and increased aggression in SHR Y chromosome males. The results of the first aim supported the hypothesis, showing impaired maze performance following: social stress, corticosterone manipulation, pre-pubertal social stress, and aging in SHR Y chromosome males. The results of the second aim also supported the hypothesis, showing increased aggression in socially housed, testosterone treated, and also in both testosterone and serotonin manipulated SHR Y chromosome males. The hypothesis for the third aim was also supported with neurochemistry data showing altered hippocampal norepinephrine content, increased hippocampal tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and decreased amygdala serotonin content. However, these changes in brain neurochemistry did not correspond to changes in either maze performance or aggressive behavior. Therefore, the results from these studies indicate that the SHR Y chromosome is taking part in a complex behavioral mechanism, potentially through Sry, that impairs learning and memory, and is also able to increase indices of aggression in the rodent model.
Daniel Ely (Advisor)
Biology, General
SHR; WKY; Testosterone; Corticosterone; Serotonin; AGGRESSION; SHR Y CHROMOSOME

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Toot, J. (2007). The SHR Y Chromosome: Involvement in mechanisms influencing learning, memory, and aggression in the rodent model [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1195484838

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Toot, Jonathan. The SHR Y Chromosome: Involvement in mechanisms influencing learning, memory, and aggression in the rodent model. 2007. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1195484838.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Toot, Jonathan. "The SHR Y Chromosome: Involvement in mechanisms influencing learning, memory, and aggression in the rodent model." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1195484838

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1195484838
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© 2007, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.