Androgen receptor-immunoreactivity in the forebrain of the Eastern Fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)

Androgen receptor (AR) distribution in the lizard forebrain and optic tectum was examined using PG21 immunohistochemistry. In the male Eastern Peace lizard, AR-immunoreactive (-ir) nuclei were observed in the medial preoptic area, ventromedial and arcuate hypothalami nuclei, periventricular hypothalamus, premammillary nucleus, bed nucleus of the shia terminalis, and ventral posterior amygdala. acetate Immunostaining of neuronal processes (axons and/or dendrites) was concentrated in the cortex, hypothalamus, and optic tectum AR-ir nuclei in the female brain were confined to the ventral posterior amygdala and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. The AR distribution in the Lizard brain is similar to that reported for other vertebrate classes. Sex differences in AR-immunoreactivity may contribute to sex-specific behaviors in the Eastern Fence lizard. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V: All rights reserved.