Psychoendocrinology

Psychoendocrinology covers the advances in the field of biology and the development of highly refined measurement techniques for hormones. The book discusses the partitioning of neuroendocrine steroids and peptides between vascular and cerebral compartments; the mechanisms of the female reproductive behavior; and the sensory, hormonal, and neural determinant of maternal behavior. The text describes the effects of sexual behavior on gonadal function in rodents; the hormonal regulation of learning performance; and the hormonal modulation of memory. The psychobiological perspective on the psychoneuroendocrinology of stress and the behavioral effects of the endogenous opioids are also considered. The book further tackles the hormonal interactions on temperature regulation and temperature regulation under modified physiological states. Endocrinologists, psychobiologists, neurologists, neurobiologists, and students taking related courses will find the book useful.

Dedication Contributors Preface Chapter One Partitioning of Neuroendocrine Steroids and Peptides between Vascular and Cerebral Compartments I. Introduction II. Steroid Hormones III. Cortisol IV. Gonadal Steroids V. Neuroendocrine Peptides VI. Conclusions References Chapter Two Mechanisms of Female Reproductive Behavior I. Introduction II. Receptor-Mediated Functions in Hypothalamic and Preoptic Neurons III. Brainstem Mechanisms and Circuitry IV. Spinal Mechanisms and Circuitry V. Summary References Chapter Three Maternal Behavior: Sensory, Hormonal, and Neural Determinants I. Introduction II. Description of Components, Chronology, and Functional Analysis III. Sensory Regulation IV. Hormonal Regulation: One Hormone, Two Hormones, Three Hormones, . . . More V. Brain Lesions and Maternal Behavior VI. Neuroendocrine Integration of Maternal Behavior: Possible Sites and Mechanisms of Hormone Action VII. Conclusions and Comparative Perspective References Chapter Four Effects of Sexual Behavior on Gonadal Function in Rodents I. Interactions between Behavior and Hormones II. Effects of Behavior on the Rate of Sexual Development III. Induction of Estrus in Adult Females IV. Induction of Progestational Hormone Secretion V. Behavioral Control of Testicular Hormone Secretion VI. Summary References Chapter Five Hormonal Regulation of Learning Performance I. Introduction II. Hormones of Pituitary Origin III. Gut and Brain Hormones IV. Steroid Hormones V. Concluding Remarks References Chapter Six Hormonal Modulation of Memory I. Introduction II. Peripheral Catecholamines III. ACTH and Corticosterone IV. Opioid Peptides V. Vasopressin and Oxytocin VI. Hormonal and Transmitter Interactions References Chapter Seven Psychoneuroendocrin