Social behavior of male mice needs estrogen receptor activation in brain region at puberty

(University of Tsukuba) A team of researchers led by Dr. Sonoko Ogawa at Tsukuba University revealed that expression of an estrogen receptor (ERα) in the medial amygdala (MeA) of the limbic system during puberty is essential for the testosterone-regulated expression of adult male social behaviors. ERα inhibition in the MeA before puberty led to a reduction in both sexual and aggressive behaviors of adult male mice. These findings further our understanding of the neural and hormonal mechanisms ...