open access

Vol 60, No 1 (2022)
Original paper
Submitted: 2021-12-27
Accepted: 2022-02-02
Published online: 2022-02-17
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Distribution of dopamine-immunoreactive neurons in the brain of the male native Thai chicken

Boonyarit Kamkrathok1, Yupaporn Chaiseha1
·
Pubmed: 35174872
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2022;60(1):1-12.
Affiliations
  1. School of Biology, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand

open access

Vol 60, No 1 (2022)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2021-12-27
Accepted: 2022-02-02
Published online: 2022-02-17

Abstract

Introduction. Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator found in both central and peripheral nervous systems. It plays several physiological functions in some mammalian and avian species. DA has been indicated to be associated with the neuroendocrine regulation of the reproductive cycle and maternal behaviors in the female native Thai chickens. Indeed, male birds express parental behaviors as well. To date, there are no data describing the functional aspects of the DAergic system in the male native Thai chickens. Thus, the objective of this study was to elucidate the localization of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; a DA marker) neuronal groups in the brain of the roosters.

Material and methods. The distributions of TH immunoreactivity in the brain were detected utilizing the immunohistochemical technique.

Results. TH immunoreactivity was located throughout the brain and extensively in the diencephalon and mesencephalon. The highest density of TH-immunoreactive (-ir) neurons and fibers was found within the nucleus intramedialis (nI) and nucleus mamillaris lateralis (ML). The numbers of TH-ir neurons within the nucleus anterior medialis hypothalami (AM), nucleus paraventricularis magnocellularis (PVN), nI, and ML were then compared and revealed that the numbers of TH-ir neurons within the nI and ML were significantly higher than those of the AM and PVN.

Conclusions. These present findings suggest that the DAergic neurons within the nI and ML might play an important role in the reproductive activities of the native Thai roosters. Interestingly, the DAergic system in the nI might be involved in male reproductive activities and/or parental behaviors in this equatorial species.

Abstract

Introduction. Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator found in both central and peripheral nervous systems. It plays several physiological functions in some mammalian and avian species. DA has been indicated to be associated with the neuroendocrine regulation of the reproductive cycle and maternal behaviors in the female native Thai chickens. Indeed, male birds express parental behaviors as well. To date, there are no data describing the functional aspects of the DAergic system in the male native Thai chickens. Thus, the objective of this study was to elucidate the localization of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH; a DA marker) neuronal groups in the brain of the roosters.

Material and methods. The distributions of TH immunoreactivity in the brain were detected utilizing the immunohistochemical technique.

Results. TH immunoreactivity was located throughout the brain and extensively in the diencephalon and mesencephalon. The highest density of TH-immunoreactive (-ir) neurons and fibers was found within the nucleus intramedialis (nI) and nucleus mamillaris lateralis (ML). The numbers of TH-ir neurons within the nucleus anterior medialis hypothalami (AM), nucleus paraventricularis magnocellularis (PVN), nI, and ML were then compared and revealed that the numbers of TH-ir neurons within the nI and ML were significantly higher than those of the AM and PVN.

Conclusions. These present findings suggest that the DAergic neurons within the nI and ML might play an important role in the reproductive activities of the native Thai roosters. Interestingly, the DAergic system in the nI might be involved in male reproductive activities and/or parental behaviors in this equatorial species.

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Keywords

birds; brain; dopamine; hypothalamus; male; thyroxine hydroxylase

About this article
Title

Distribution of dopamine-immunoreactive neurons in the brain of the male native Thai chicken

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 60, No 1 (2022)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

1-12

Published online

2022-02-17

Page views

5418

Article views/downloads

397

DOI

10.5603/FHC.a2022.0008

Pubmed

35174872

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2022;60(1):1-12.

Keywords

birds
brain
dopamine
hypothalamus
male
thyroxine hydroxylase

Authors

Boonyarit Kamkrathok
Yupaporn Chaiseha

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