College of Life Science, South China Normal University, Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Higher Education of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510631, China

Abstract 

Objective
To observe the sexual differences in electrophysiological properties of neurons in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) in adult zebra finches, and to provide the direct electrophysiological evidence for the sexual dimorphism of birdsong.
Methods
Whole-cell recording was used to record the spontaneous action potential firing rates from RA projection neurons in acute brain slices.
Results
The projection neurons of RA in male birds fired spontaneously at 10 Hz or above, while in female birds, the frequency was significantly lower, and even no firings could be detected.
Conclusion
There is a sexual difference in electrophysiological properties of projection neurons in RA, which may result from the difference in the levels of steroid hormones in birds.

Keywords

adult zebra finches; the robust nucleus of the arcopallium; spontaneous action potential firing rates; electrophysiological properties; sexual dimorphism

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