Two extremes of female sexual behavior may be controlled by the same brain region
In many species, including humans and mice, the fluctuating levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen determine whether the female is fertile or not. And in the case of mice, whether she s sexually receptive or not.
The change in receptivity is striking. Female mice shift from accepting sexual partners to aggressively rejecting them across a cycle of six short days. How can the female reproductive hormones bring about such a radical behavioral change?
When searching for an explanation, the team of Susana Lima, a principal investigator at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Portugal, came across an intriguing discovery.
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IMAGE: Certain neurons in the brains of female mice change their structure across the reproductive cycle, gaining higher complexity during the receptive phase. view more
Credit: Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown - Lima Lab (data); Diogo Matias (design).
In many species, including humans and mice, the fluctuating levels of the hormones progesterone and estrogen determine whether the female is fertile or not. And in the case of mice, whether she s sexually receptive or not.
The change in receptivity is striking. Female mice shift from accepting sexual partners to aggressively rejecting them across a cycle of six short days. How can the female reproductive hormones bring about such a radical behavioural change?
Another location of support for people with dementia and their carers
Alzheimer Portugal and the Municipality of Portimão have recently signed an agreement for the provision of premises for the headquarters of the Association’s local office (NÚCLEO DO ALGARVE.)
Alzheimer’s patients and their carers in the Algarve have, since 1 September, a location in Portimão to provide them with the help they need and already benefit from.
Edite Reis and Liliana Ferreira are the two voluntary coordinators who, over the last six years, have been developing this mission and have managed to open up the new local office, with the cooperation of the Associação Alzheimer Portugal and the Portimão City Council. Now with an additional team member, Margarida Ferreira - psychologist, the office aims to reach more families and expand the services provided.