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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

androgen regulation, calbindin-D28K, rat, hypothalamic tissue, prenatal development

College

Life Sciences

Department

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science

Abstract

Calbindin-D28K is a calcium-binding protein that serves a potentially important role in both the development and function of the central nervous system (CNS). Previous studies indicate the dimorphic expressions of calbindin within the medial basal hypothalamus (N4BH), supporting its putative importance in the neurogenesis of sexually dimorphic brain structures.2 Another primary action of this protein is to buffer intracellular calcium levels, thus functioning as a neuroprotective mechanism against pre-mature apoptosis. Regulation of calbindin is reported to be, in part, stimulated by glucocorticoids in response to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal stress axis.3 Evidence also exists for the potential regulation of calcium-binding proteins by androgens. In order to examine the influence of androgens upon hypothalamic regulation of calbindin-D28K, pregnant rats were treated with either testosterone or flutamide, a known androgen receptor blocker.

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