Sexual dimorphism in the vasotocin system of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

ABSTRACT

Arginine vasotocin (AVT) is widespread in amphibian brains, where its levels have been correlated with reproductive behaviors. To better understand which neural systems are involved in central actions of AVT, we used immunocytochemistry to compare the distribution of AVT in the brains of male and female bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana). AVT-immunoreactive cells were observed in the septal nucleus, amygdala pars lateralis, magnocellular preoptic area, suprachiasmatic nucleus, and hypothalamus. AVT-immunoreactive cells were also found in the pretrigeminal nucleus, but only in animals killed in the fall. Immunoreactive fibers were broadly distributed in hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic areas. The most obvious sex differences were found in the amygdala pars lateralis, where the density of immunoreactive cells and fibers was significantly greater in male than in female bullfrogs. In addition, in the habenular nucleus, males had a denser distribution of AVT-immunoreactive fibers than females. In the suprachiasmatic nucleus, AVT-immunoreactive cells were larger in females than in males but did not differ in number. Since the areas that showed sex differences in AVT distribution have also been implicated in control of reproductive behaviors, they may form the neural substrates for the effects of AVT on sexually dimorphic behaviors in amphibians.