Lauren V. Riters

 

 

Neuroendocrine Regulation of Vocal Communication

E-mail: LVRiters@wisc.edu

Research Strengths: Behavior: Cognition and Emotion

Vocal communication in many animal species, including humans, plays a critical role in successful social interactions. Although in some animal models, such as songbirds, a growing body of literature exists on brain regions involved in vocal learning and production little is known about neurobiological mechanisms regulating the motivation to communicate. Social animals communicate at high levels, indicating that this behavior is highly motivated and rewarding. A major focus of our research is to examine involvement of motivation and reward neural systems in the regulation of vocal communication in songbirds. Another major focus of our research is on female responses to male songs. In songbirds, females choose mates based on variation in acoustic features of male song. Breeding condition females attend to and perceive differences in male song structure, and display motivated approach behaviors in response to certain songs, however little is known about neurobiological mechanisms regulating mate choice. A second goal of our research is to examine the neural basis of female song perception and differential responses to male song. In our research we combine detailed behavioral analyses with neuroscience techniques. Techniques used in the laboratory include behavioral observation in semi-natural outdoor aviaries, song recording and analysis, blood sampling, radioimmunoassays, immunocytochemistry, autoradiography, stereotaxic surgery, anterograde and retrograde neuroanatomical tract tracing, and basic histology techniques.

Website:

http://www.zoology.wisc.edu/faculty/Rit/Rit.html

Selected Publications:

• Riters, L.V. and S. J. Alger. 2004. Neuroanatomical evidence for indirect connections between the medial preoptic nucleus and the song control system: Possible neural substrates for sexually motivated song. Cell and Tissue Res. 316: 35-44. [PDF]
• Riters, L.V., S. J. Teague, and M. B. Schroeder. 2004. Social status interacts with badge size and neuroendocrine physiology to influence sexual behavior in male house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Brain, Behavior and Evolution 63: 141-150.
• Riters, L.V. and D.P. Teague. 2003. The volumes of song control nuclei, HVC and lMAN, relate to differential behavioral responses of female European starlings to male songs produced within and outside of the breeding season. Brain Res. 978: 91-98. [PDF]
• Riters, L.V., M. Eens, R. Pinxten, D.L. Duffy, J. Balthazart, and G.F. Ball. 2000. Seasonal changes in courtship song and the medial preoptic area in male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Hormones and Beh. 38: 250-261.
• Riters, L.V. and G.F. Ball. 1999. Lesions to the medial preoptic area affect singing in the male European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Hormones and Beh. 36: 276-286.
• Riters, L.V., P. Absil, and J. Balthazart. 1998. Effects of brain testosterone on appetitive and consummatory components of male sexual behavior in the Japanese quail. Brain Res. Bull. 47: 69-79. [PDF]