Sex differences in subregions of the medial nucleus of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of the rat
Abstract
Sex differences are described in subregions of two nuclei of the rat brain: the medical nucleus of the amygdala (MA) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The volume of the posterodorsal region of the medial nucleus of the amygdala (MApd) is approximately 85% greater and the volume of the encapsulated region of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTenc) is approximately 97% greater in males than in females. The MApd and BNSTenc are distinct subregions of the MA and BNST. They exhibit intense uptake of gonadal hormones and are anatomically connected to each other and to other sexually dimorphic nuclei. The MA and BNST in general are involved in regulation of several sexually dimorphic functions, including aggression, sexual behavior, gonadotropin secretion and integration of olfactory information. Precise localization of sex differences in subregions of the MA and BNST, such as the MApd and BNSTenc, may facilitate understanding of the neural basis of such functions.
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BNSTpr_St18 and BNSTpr_Esr2 clusters had among the highest numbers of dimorphic genes, consistent with prior reports.
“Clusters BNSTpr_St18 and BNSTpr_Esr2 from the BNST principal nucleus (BNSTpr) showed some of the highest numbers of dimorphic genes (Figure 3I), consistent with previous reports that BNSTpr is particularly dimorphic (Hines et al., 1992; Xu et al., 2012).”
From Single-Cell Multi-omic Integration Compares and Contrasts Features of Brain Cell Identity (2019) · cites this paper as Hines et al., 1992
BNST shows significant sexual dimorphism in size and gene expression.
“BNST also displays significant sexual dimorphism, both in size (Allen and Gorski, 1990; Hines et al., 1992) and gene expression (Xu et al., 2012).”
From Single-Cell Multi-omic Integration Compares and Contrasts Features of Brain Cell Identity (2019) · cites this paper as Hines et al., 1992
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- Authors
- Hines, M., Allen, L. S., & Gorski, R. A.
- Affiliations
- University of California, Los Angeles (US)
- Corresponding author
- Hines, Melissa
- Venue
- Brain Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1992-05
- Volume
- 579
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 321-326
- ISSN
- 0006-8993 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2084216483
- Cited by
- 347
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 2.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Brain Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5p30hd019445-05, 5r23ns020687-02)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS 20687)
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD-01182, HD19445)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Keywords
- sex differences, medial amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, brain volume, aggression, sexual behavior, gonadotropin secretion, rats
- MeSH terms
- Amygdala, Animals, Female, Male, Rats, Inbred Strains, Sex Characteristics, Thalamus, Neurotransmitter Agents, Rats
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