Sexual Dimorphism in Brain Vasotocinergic Circuits of Indian Jungle Bush Quail (Perdicula asiatica)

Arginine vasotaocin (AVT), in addition to its role as antidiuretic and oxytocic hormone, also influence reproductive behaviour in birds. It is reported that from embryonic day 14 (E₁₄) onwards, bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BnST) starts exhibiting sexual dimorphism and immunoreactive {ir) -AVT can not be localized in this region of hypothalamus in female chicken to the level observed in male chicken of the same age. But, no information is available on sexual dimorphism of AVT system in the brain of seasonally breeding species, Indian jungle bush quail {Pedicula asiatica). Experiment was performed to study, seasonal variation in the localization of ir - AVT in the hypothalamus of Indian jungle bush quail and profile of these neurons was compared in both the sexes.