home news faculty undergraduate graduate staff seminars resources & links history intranet giving alumni

email:  schlinge@lifesci.ucla.edu
phone:  (310) 825-5716
office:  LSB 5802
lab:  LSB 5843
homepage:  http://www.physci.ucla.edu/research/schlinger

research interests:  Steroid hormone synthesis and action in birds; hormonal control of brain and behavior in tropical bird species

Research Interests

Steroid hormones influence diverse physiological functions in vertebrate animals. The mechanisms by which steroids reach target tissues in an active form are equally diverse. We are interested in determining the mechanisms through steroids are made available to target tissues, principally the brain. We study steroid biosynthesis in steroidogenic organs as well as steroid metabolism in target tissues, especially as these events relate to brain function. This can involve complex interactions between gonadal and adrenal activity, as well as anabolic and catabolic enzyme action in discrete regions of the brain. Currently, I am examining these properties in songbirds to determine how steroids influence the development of the neural circuitry that controls singing behavior, regulate adult song behavior and influence neural circuits involved with memory. We study enzyme activity in whole tissues, cellular organelles, or in specific cell types grown in culture using radioenzymatic assays where radiolabled products are isolated by thin layer-chromatography or HPLC. We study enzyme expression using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization analyses. We evaluate neuroanatomial effects of steroids using standard histological procedures and light microscopy.

Selected Publications

Remage-Healey, L., R. Oyama and B.A. Schlinger.. 2009. Elevated aromatase activity in forebrain synaptic terminals during song J. Neuroendocrinol 21: 191-199 .

Spence, R., Y. Zhen, S.A. White, B.A. Schlinger and L.B. Day. 2009. Recovery of motor and cognitive function after cerebellar lesions in a songbird: role of estrogens Eur. J. Neurosci 29: 1225-1234 .

Salwizcek, L.H., Emery, N.J., Schlinger, B.A. and N.S. Clayton. 2009. Development of object permanence and caching in Western scrub jays (Aphelocoma californica): Which emerges first? J. Comp. Psych 123: 295-303 .

London, S.E., Remage-Healey, L, B.A. Schlinger. 2009. eurosteroid Production in the Songbird Brain: A re-evaluation of core principle Front. Neuroendocrinology 30: 302-314 .

Wacker, D. B.A. Schlinger and J.C. Wingfield.. 2008. Combined effects of DHEA and fadrozole on non-breeding male song sparrow aggression and neural VIP immunoreactivity Horm. Behav 53: 287-294 .

Day, L.B., Guerra, M., Schlinger, B.A. and S. Rothstein. 122:527-534. . 2008. Sex differences in the effects of captivity on hippocampus size in brown-headed cowbirds Behav. Neurosci 122: 527-534 .

Katz, A., A. Mirzatoni, Zhen,Y. and B.A. Schlinger.. 2008. Sex differences in Cell Proliferation and Glucocorticoid Responsiveness in the Zebra Finch Brain (Taeniopygia guttata) Eur. J. Neurosci 28: 99-106 .

Saldanha, C.J. and B. A. Schlinger.. 2008. Neurosteroidogenesis and neuroplasticity in songbirds Neuroactive Steroids in Brain: From Experiments to Psychopathology and Treatment Springer-Verlag .

Schlinger, B.A., L. Day, L. Fusani.. 2008. Hormonal control of courtship in the Golden-collared manakin Ornitología Neotropical 19: 229-240 .

Schlinger, B.A., L.B. Day and L. Fusani.. 2008. Behavior, natural history and neuroendocrinology of a tropical bird Gen.Comp. Endocrinol 157: 254-258 .