Cited by 152Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorSexual Differentiation and Disorders

Puberty and the maturation of the male brain and sexual behavior: recasting a behavioral potential

Romeo, Russell D., Richardson, Heather N., Sisk, Cheryl L.·2002·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

Abstract

The pubertal transition from the juvenile to adult state requires significant changes in behavior to meet the demands for success and survival in adulthood. These behavioral changes during puberty must be mediated by changes in the structure and/or function of the central nervous system. Despite the profound consequences of puberty on an animal's behavioral repertoire, the mechanisms underlying pubertal maturation of the nervous system remain largely unknown. In this review, we provide a synthesis of neural development during puberty as it relates to maturation of male reproductive behavior. We first outline neuroendocrine events associated with puberty and review work from our laboratory that identifies pubertal changes in the neural substrate controlling male reproduction by comparing the neural responses of prepubertal and adult males to steroids and female chemosensory cues. We then raise the question of whether puberty is a sensitive period in which gonadal hormones influence the structural and functional organization of neural circuits underlying male reproductive behavior. The central thesis of this review is that the development of the nervous system during puberty alters the way in which the male responds to social stimuli, involving the restructuring of neural circuits that integrate steroidal and sensory information and ultimately mediate steroid-dependent social behaviors in adulthood.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0149-7634(02)00009-x

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  • In male Syrian hamsters, pubertal hormones influence the structure and function of neural circuits that integrate steroidal and sensory information, and these changing neural circuits alter the way males respond to social stimuli and engage in mating behaviors.

    “For instance, in male Syrian hamsters, it is well-established how pubertal hormones influence the structure and function of neural circuits that integrate steroidal and sensory information, and how these changing neural circuits alter the way males respond to social stimuli and engage in mating behaviors (Romeo et al., 2002).”

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Authors
Romeo, R. D., Richardson, H. N., & Sisk, C. L.
Affiliations
Michigan State University (US)
Corresponding author
Sisk, Cheryl L.
Venue
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2002-05
Volume
26
Issue
3
Pages
381-391
ISSN
0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2095232389
Cited by
152
References
111
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 4
FWCI
1.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD-26483, R01HD026483)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
Keywords
puberty, male reproductive behavior, brain maturation, neuroendocrine regulation, sex steroids, neural circuits, sensitive period, social behavior, prepubertal males
MeSH terms
Androgens, Animals, Brain, Hormones, Humans, Male, Puberty, Sexual Behavior, Sexual Behavior, Animal

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