Song-related dopamine receptor regulation in Area X of zebra finch male

Abstract

Abstract. Song learning and production have many parallels with speech and the mechanisms of their control have been studied extensively. There is an increasing amount of evidence that the dopaminergic system is involved in song learning and maintenance. Dopamine receptors show distinct expression in most of the song nuclei and the highest levels in Area X of the striatum. Here we have investigated whether the mRNA expressions for D1A, D1B, and D2 receptors in Area X are associated with quantitative and/or qualitative characteristics of zebra finch song. We found that quantitative parameters of song such as the amount of songs sang, motif duration, and numbers of distinct syllables and/or notes per motif did not correlate with expression of D1A, D1B nor D2 receptors in Area X or surrounding striatum. However, the mean accuracy of the song correlated negatively with D1A receptor expression levels and the sequential match correlated positively with D2 receptor expression levels in Area X relative to the surrounding striatum. These data suggest that dopamine receptor densities in Area X are associated with song variability.

Song in an Affiliative Context Relates to the Neural Expression of Dopamine- and Neurotensin-Related Genes in Male European Starlings

“…DA and D1 receptor expression levels in Area X peak when male zebra finches are actively learning songs, i.e., singing undirected song [Harding et al, 1998; Kubikova et al, 2010]. In Area X of adult zebra finches, IEG expression in neurons containing D1 A receptors increases during undirected singing [Kubikova et al, 2010] and relates to song variability [Bosikova et al, 2012]. Although [Bosikova et al, 2012] did not find a correlation between D1 receptor expression and the number of songs, [Bosikova et al, 2012] differs from the present study in that it examined zebra finches (a different species), it used in situ hybridization (a less quantitative method than qPCR), and animals were housed in isolation (a different social condition), all of which could have contributed to the differences in results.…”

“…In Area X of adult zebra finches, IEG expression in neurons containing D1 A receptors increases during undirected singing [Kubikova et al, 2010] and relates to song variability [Bosikova et al, 2012]. Although [Bosikova et al, 2012] did not find a correlation between D1 receptor expression and the number of songs, [Bosikova et al, 2012] differs from the present study in that it examined zebra finches (a different species), it used in situ hybridization (a less quantitative method than qPCR), and animals were housed in isolation (a different social condition), all of which could have contributed to the differences in results. Activation of D1 receptors in Area X can alter spiny neuron excitability [Ding et al, 2003], facilitate long term potentiation [Ding and Perkel, 2004], and influence song variability [Leblois and Perkel, 2012; Leblois et al, 2010].…”

Inverted‐U shaped effects of D1 dopamine receptor stimulation in the medial preoptic nucleus on sexually motivated song in male European starlings

“…Dopamine within midbrain and striatal regions is also linked to measures of song in male songbirds (e.g. Sasaki et al, 2006;Hara et al, 2007;Huang & Hessler, 2008;Kubikova et al, 2010;Leblois et al, 2010;Heimovics et al, 2011;Bosikova et al, 2012;Leblois & Perkel, 2012). Future studies on the role of dopamine in the mPOA in vocal behavior must include manipulations and measures of D1, D2 and norepinephrine receptors in the mPOA and other brain regions.…”