Dehydroepiandrosterone increases tonic and phasic dopamine release in the striatum

Pérez-Neri, Iván; Parra, Doris; Aquino-Miranda, Guillermo; Coffeen, Ulises; Rı́os, Camilo

doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135095

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Future studies utilizing conditioned place preference tests to assay reward states in birds ( 77 – 79 ) with and without DHEA implants are needed to lend support to that hypothesis. But this idea is bolstered by evidence showing that DHEA modulates DA receptor activation, increases DA release, alters DA metabolism, and increases drug-induced place preference in rodents ( 40 , 41 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, an alternative possibility is that DHEA may modulate undirected song via effects on the steroid-sensitive neuromodulatory systems responsible for regulating singing behavior in the non-breeding season. DHEA and its sulfated ester influence synaptic transmission via effects on multiple brain systems including dopaminergic neurotransmission ( 40 , 41 ), and research in multiple songbird species demonstrates a role for DA in undirected song ( 3 , 11 , 15 – 17 ). Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of DHEA on the production and dopaminergic regulation of undirected singing behavior by male European starlings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increases undirected singing behavior and alters dopaminergic regulation of undirected song in non-breeding male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

2023

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IntroductionIt has been proposed that in species that defend territories across multiple life history stages, brain metabolism of adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) regulates aggressive behavior at times when gonadal androgen synthesis is low (i.e. the non-breeding season). To date, a role for DHEA in the regulation of other forms of social behavior that are expressed outside of the context of breeding remains unknown.MethodsIn this experiment, we used the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) model system to investigate a role for DHEA in the neuroendocrine regulation of singing behavior by males in non-breeding condition. Starling song in a non-breeding context is spontaneous, not directed towards conspecifics, and functions to maintain cohesion of overwintering flocks.ResultsUsing within-subjects design, we found that DHEA implants significantly increase undirected singing behavior by non-breeding condition male starlings. Given that DHEA is known to modulate multiple neurotransmitter systems including dopamine (DA) and DA regulates undirected song, we subsequently used immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated tyrosine hydroxylase (pTH, the active form of the rate-limiting enzyme in DA synthesis) to investigate the effect of DHEA on dopaminergic regulation of singing behavior in a non-breeding context. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive linear association between undirected singing behavior and pTH immunoreactivity in the ventral tegmental area and midbrain central gray of DHEA-implanted, but not control-implanted, males.DiscussionTaken together, these data suggest that undirected singing behavior by non-breeding starlings is modulated by effects of DHEA on dopaminergic neurotransmission. More broadly, these data expand the social behavior functions of DHEA beyond territorial aggression to include undirected, affiliative social communication.

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