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Sex differences in subregions of the medial nucleus of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis of the rat
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Abstract
Sex differences are described in subregions of two nuclei of the rat brain: the medical
nucleus of the amygdala (MA) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). The
volume of the posterodorsal region of the medial nucleus of the amygdala (MApd) is
approximately 85% greater and the volume of the encapsulated region of the bed nucleus
of the stria terminalis (BNSTenc) is approximately 97% greater in males than in females.
The MApd and BNSTenc are distinct subregions of the MA and BNST. They exhibit intense
uptake of gonadal hormones and are anatomically connected to each other and to other
sexually dimorphic nuclei. The MA and BNST in general are involved in regulation of
several sexually dimorphic functions, including aggression, sexual behavior, gonadotropin
secretion and integration of olfactory information. Precise localization of sex differences
in subregions of the MA and BNST, such as the MApd and BNSTenc, may facilitate understanding
of the neural basis of such functions.