TOP PAGE
ENGLISH
JAPANESE
|
CONNECT WITH US:
Home
About
Services
Contact
Log in
*
Home
Press release
Jan 29, 2014 15:00 JST
Source:
Waseda University
Discovery of mechanism by which sex hormone regulates aggressive behavior
Hopes for a method of reducing aggressive behavior in humans
TOKYO, Jan 29, 2014 - (ACN Newswire) - A group led by Professor Kazuyoshi Tsutsui and Research Associate Takayoshi Ubuka, of the Waseda University Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, has discovered a hormonal mechanism for controlling aggressiveness in male birds.
Male aggressiveness has long been thought to depend on androgen, a male sex hormone produced in the testes. However, previous research suggested that a synthetic enzyme (aromatase) can convert androgen into female sex hormone (estrogen) in the brain and regulate male aggressiveness.
In 2000, Professor Tsutsui et al. discovered a new hypothalamic hormone (gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone, GnIH; a type of neuropeptide) in the brain which inhibits reproduction. Later, Ubuka et al. demonstrated that GnIH can inhibit aggressive behavior (see PLoS ONE 2012).
The current research, in order to understand the mechanism of GnIH inhibiting aggressiveness, involved a series of experiments using quail, an aggressive species of bird, as a model. When GnIH was injected into a male's brain, activity of aromatase was increased, and the quantity of estrogen in the brain was greatly increased.
Next, when highly concentrated estrogen was injected, aggressiveness of the male quail was greatly decreased. Further, it became clear that neurons which synthesize estrogen have the receptor for GnIH.
This research shows that GnIH acts on the neurons which synthesize estrogen, to greatly increase production of estrogen and greatly decrease aggressiveness in male quail. Hence it is thought that when GnIH causes an extreme increase in estrogen synthesis, this creates an excess of estrogen in the brain and curbs male aggressiveness.
This research has explained a mechanism of regulating aggressiveness. Abnormally high aggressiveness is a major cause of instability in human society. This research provides a model for explaining behavior of quail, an aggressive bird species, but future work, by looking for a similar mechanism in humans, may lead to a method for regulating spikes in aggressiveness in humans, and thereby contribute to peace and order in society.
This research is presented in the paper "Hypothalamic inhibition of socio-sexual behaviour by increasing neuroestrogen synthesis", published 16 Jan 2014 by Nature Communications.
Nature Communications online:
http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/140116/ncomms4061/full/ncomms4061.html
For more information:
Mr. Kazuyoshi Tsutsui, Ph.D., Professor
Laboratory of Integrative Brain Sciences, Department of Biology
Waseda University
Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences (TWIns)
2-2 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
Phone: +81-3-5369-7311
Fax: +81-3-3355-0316
E-mail:
k-tsutsui@waseda.jp
Press release by ResearchSEA on behalf of Waseda University, JAPAN.
Source: Waseda University
Sectors: Science & Research
Copyright ©2025 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network.
Related Press Release
A Novel Insight into Cardiac Function: Development of a New Model of Spontaneous Oscillatory Contraction
December 17 2013 15:20 JST
Testing Begins at the Energy Management System (EMS) Shinjuku Demonstration Center
December 12 2013 08:30 JST
Waseda Robotics Research Leading the World
December 11 2013 09:00 JST
Waseda University Leads a New International Team on Natural Disaster Mitigation
December 06 2013 14:10 JST
Waseda University Team Sheds Light on Self-organization of Biological Structures
November 29 2013 12:20 JST
A New Energy Conversion Principle with Potential to Double the Efficiency of Today's Engines
November 27 2013 17:30 JST
Waseda University Team Observes 'Molecular Motors' Involved in Chromosome Transport
November 25 2013 13:30 JST
Successful Control of Bleeding by Closing Vena Cava Wound with Nanosheets
July 22 2013 21:00 JST
More Press release >>
Latest Press Release
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Holds Christening and Launch Ceremony of Large Car Ferry KEYAKI in Shimonoseki
Apr 29, 2025 17:24 JST
NEC DGDF Headquarters relocates to Zurich to accelerate growth and enhance management globally
Apr 28, 2025 16:03 JST
NEC achieves Japan's longest terrestrial wireless optical communication over 10 km
Apr 25, 2025 17:50 JST
Olympus Appoints New CEO
Apr 25, 2025 15:30 JST
DENSO Announces Year-End Financial Results
Apr 25, 2025 12:17 JST
DENSO and DELPHY Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Develop Data-Driven Smart Horticulture
Apr 24, 2025 18:43 JST
MyJCB App Wins "iF DESIGN AWARD 2025"
Apr 24, 2025 17:00 JST
Fujitsu launches new company 1FINITY to strengthen network products business
Apr 24, 2025 16:24 JST
MHIEC Completes Renovation of Core Facilities for Arita Municipal Recycle Plaza in Saga Prefecture
Apr 24, 2025 15:01 JST
NEC invests in U.S.-based "Geodesic Alliance Fund" aiming to strengthen economic security business
Apr 24, 2025 10:23 JST
MHI Thermal Systems Wins German Red Dot Design Award 2025
Apr 24, 2025 10:11 JST
ULVAC Develops Dilution Refrigerator for Quantum Computers
Apr 24, 2025 09:30 JST
Fujitsu expands strategic collaboration with Supermicro to offer total generative AI platform
Apr 23, 2025 11:55 JST
Furuya Metal and Asahi Kasei Embark on Demonstration Trial Regarding Recycling of Metals for Chlor-alkali Electrolysis Cells and Electrodes
Apr 23, 2025 11:00 JST
A Decade of Olympus India's Commitment to Community Welfare
Apr 22, 2025 13:00 JST
Fujitsu and RIKEN develop world-leading 256-qubit superconducting quantum computer
Apr 22, 2025 11:37 JST
Fujitsu Kozuchi AI technologies assist AKOS AI in delivering solutions for EU AI compliance
Apr 18, 2025 17:41 JST
Leqembi (lecanemab) is the First Medicine that Slows Progression of Early Alzheimer's Disease to be Authorized in the European Union
Apr 18, 2025 16:52 JST
Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Launches Next-Generation Inverter System to Support Stable, Resilient Power Grids
Apr 18, 2025 16:46 JST
MHIEC Receives Order from the Bureau of Sewerage of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for Rebuilding of Sewage Sludge Incineration Facility
Apr 17, 2025 14:44 JST
More Latest Release >>