Project description:Newly-hatched domestic chick serves as an important model for studies of neural and behavioral plasticity, particularly with respect to learning and memory such as filial imprinting. Imprinting is assumed to be a unique case of recognition learning with some characteristic features, such as sensitive period and irreversibility. However, the molecules involved in the memory process are yet to be fully identified. To address this issue, we attempted to identify the genes differentially expressed at an earlier phase of filial imprinting than described in our previous report (Brain Res. Bull.76, 275-281 (2008)). One-day-old chicks were trained for imprinting for 1 h and whole brains were collected and used for cDNA microarray analysis and quantitative RT-PCR. We identified 18 genes upregulated accompanying filial imprinting. These results suggested that the increase of these 18 genes associated with filial imprinting might play an important role in the acquisition of memory in the filial imprinting. Total RNA was extracted from whole brains of trained chicks (n=16) and control dark-reared chicks (n=16). Using these total RNAs, we performed RT-PCR to distinguish male chicks from females. Then total RNAs were separated and mixed in four groups (1, male trained (n=8); 2, female trained (n=8); 3, male dark-reared (n=8); and 4, female dark-reared chicks (n=8)), and we performed cDNA microarray expression analysis to identify the upregulated genes following imprinting (1 versus 3 and 2 versus 4).
Project description:The study is relevant to an understanding of the forces that lead to sex differences in the brain. Many neural and psychiatric diseases affect men and women differently, so the understanding of sex differences in brain function impacts on our understanding of why the male and female brain differ in their susceptibility to disease. Using Affymetrix chicken arrays, we will measure the gene expression in male and female embryonic chicken brain. Gene expression differs in the male and female embryonic chicken brain. 20 male and 20 female chicken embryos will serve as source of brain tissue. In late stage embryos, we will remove the brain tissue and extract total RNA. Four birds will comprise each individual sample. Thus, we will have 5 biologically independent male samples, and an equal number of female samples. Keywords: dose response
Project description:The study is relevant to an understanding of the forces that lead to sex differences in the brain. Many neural and psychiatric diseases affect men and women differently, so the understanding of sex differences in brain function impacts on our understanding of why the male and female brain differ in their susceptibility to disease. Using Affymetrix chicken arrays, we will measure the gene expression in male and female embryonic chicken liver to compare with previous studies of brain. Gene expression differs in the male and female embryonic chicken liver. Z-linked genes are expressed higher in males than females, in a manner similar to Z-linked genes in the brain. The comparison of brain and liver will demonstrate which sex differences are specific to brain and which are general. 20 male and 20 female chicken embryos will serve as source of brain tissue. In late stage embryos, we will remove the liver and extract total RNA. Four birds will comprise each individual sample. Thus, we will have 5 biologically independent male samples, and an equal number of female samples. Keywords: dose response
Project description:The study is relevant to an understanding of the forces that lead to sex differences in the brain. Many neural and psychiatric diseases affect men and women differently, so the understanding of sex differences in brain function impacts on our understanding of why the male and female brain differ in their susceptibility to disease. Using Affymetrix chicken arrays, we will measure the gene expression in male and female embryonic chicken brain. Gene expression differs in the male and female embryonic chicken brain. 20 male and 20 female chicken embryos will serve as source of brain tissue. In late stage embryos, we will remove the brain tissue and extract total RNA. Four birds will comprise each individual sample. Thus, we will have 5 biologically independent male samples, and an equal number of female samples.