Temperature affects adult neurogenesis in the lizard brain

Postnatal and adult neurogenesis have been reported to occur in the brain o f lizards. The aim of this study was to know if adult neurogenesis is a tem perature-dependent process. We have shown, by using 5'-bromodeoxiuridine im munocytochemistry, that at low temperatures the number of newly generated n eurones was significantly decreased (70%-90%) in several telencephalic area s of the lizard Psammodromus algirus. On the other hand, the migration proc ess was also affected by low temperatures. This study provides evidence for a potential temperature-modulation of adult neurogenesis in lizards as it may occur during seasonal changes.