Biomaterial Database

The distribution of hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic vasotocinergic cells and fibers in the brain of a lizard, Gekko gecko: presence of a sex difference. 1985

C J Stoll, and P Voorn

The distribution of vasotocin in the brain of the lizard Gekko gecko was studied with immunocytochemical methods. Vasotocinergic cells were found in the nucleus supraopticus, the nucleus paraventricularis, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and in the rhombencephalon. Vasotocinergic fibers were found in the preoptic area, the lateral and ventral hypothalamus, and in many extrahypothalamic brain areas. Furthermore, evidence was obtained of a conspicuous sex difference with regard to vasotocinergic innervation of the lateral septum, the ventrocaudal telencephalon (nucleus sphericus), and the periaqueductal gray; in these areas vastocinergic innervation is much denser in males than in females. The results are discussed in relation to the sexually dimorphic vasopressinergic innervation of the rat brain. It is suggested that the vasotocinergic fiber system in the sexually dimorphic brain areas in Gekko gecko is related to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007031	Hypothalamus	Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE.	Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D008032	Limbic System	A set of forebrain structures common to all mammals that is defined functionally and anatomically. It is implicated in the higher integration of visceral, olfactory, and somatic information as well as homeostatic responses including fundamental survival behaviors (feeding, mating, emotion). For most authors, it includes the AMYGDALA; EPITHALAMUS; GYRUS CINGULI; hippocampal formation (see HIPPOCAMPUS); HYPOTHALAMUS; PARAHIPPOCAMPAL GYRUS; SEPTAL NUCLEI; anterior nuclear group of thalamus, and portions of the basal ganglia. (Parent, Carpenter's Human Neuroanatomy, 9th ed, p744; NeuroNames, http://rprcsgi.rprc.washington.edu/neuronames/index.html (September 2, 1998)).	Limbic Systems,System, Limbic,Systems, Limbic
D008116	Lizards	Reptiles within the order Squamata that generally possess limbs, moveable EYELIDS, and EXTERNAL EAR openings, although there are some species which lack one or more of these structures.	Chameleons,Geckos,Chameleon,Gecko,Lizard
D008297	Male		Males
D010487	Periaqueductal Gray	Central gray matter surrounding the CEREBRAL AQUEDUCT in the MESENCEPHALON. Physiologically it is probably involved in RAGE reactions, the LORDOSIS REFLEX; FEEDING responses, bladder tonus, and pain.	Mesencephalic Central Gray,Midbrain Central Gray,Central Gray Substance of Midbrain,Central Periaqueductal Gray,Griseum Centrale,Griseum Centrale Mesencephali,Periaqueductal Gray Matter,Substantia Grisea Centralis,Substantia Grisea Centralis Mesencephali,Central Gray, Mesencephalic,Central Gray, Midbrain,Gray Matter, Periaqueductal,Gray, Central Periaqueductal,Griseum Centrale Mesencephalus,Periaqueductal Grays, Central
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012688	Septum Pellucidum	A triangular double membrane separating the anterior horns of the LATERAL VENTRICLES of the brain. It is situated in the median plane and bounded by the CORPUS CALLOSUM and the body and columns of the FORNIX (BRAIN).	Septum Lucidum,Septum Pelusidum,Supracommissural Septum,Lucidum, Septum,Lucidums, Septum,Pellucidum, Septum,Pelusidum, Septum,Pelusidums, Septum,Septum Lucidums,Septum Pelusidums,Septum, Supracommissural,Septums, Supracommissural,Supracommissural Septums
D012727	Sex Characteristics	Those characteristics that distinguish one SEX from the other. The primary sex characteristics are the OVARIES and TESTES and their related hormones. Secondary sex characteristics are those which are masculine or feminine but not directly related to reproduction.	Gender Characteristics,Gender Differences,Gender Dimorphism,Sex Differences,Sex Dimorphism,Sexual Dichromatism,Sexual Dimorphism,Characteristic, Gender,Characteristic, Sex,Dichromatism, Sexual,Dichromatisms, Sexual,Difference, Sex,Dimorphism, Gender,Dimorphism, Sex,Dimorphism, Sexual,Gender Characteristic,Gender Difference,Gender Dimorphisms,Sex Characteristic,Sex Difference,Sex Dimorphisms,Sexual Dichromatisms,Sexual Dimorphisms