Ri. Wood, FUNCTIONS OF THE STEROID-RESPONSIVE NEURAL-NETWORK IN THE CONTROL OF MALE HAMSTER SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR, Trends in endocrinology and metabolism, 7(9), 1996, pp. 338-344
Gonadal steroid receptor-containing neurons in the brain ave densely i
nterconnected to form a steroid-responsive neural network within the l
imbic system. The possible functions of such a network include redunda
ncy, signal amplification, stability, and selective filtering of hormo
nal cues to control steroid-dependent aspects of neuroendocrine secret
ion and behavior. Recently, the neural circuitry underlying male sexua
l behavior in the Syrian hamster has been used as a model for testing
certain of these concepts. These studies provide functional evidence t
o support the network properties of gonadal steroid-responsive neurons
in controlling hormone-dependent sexual behavior. (C) 1996, Elsevier
Science Inc.