We analyze the neural bases of sexual behaviors using mainly birds as experimental models, mostly quail and canaries.
-What are the endocrine mechanisms controlling sexual behaviors?
-Are male and female brains identical?
-Are sex steroids able to modify our brain?
Our research aims at identifying the neuroendocrine and neurochemical mechanisms that mediate the activation and sexual differentiation of reproductive behavior in higher vertebrates. We are also interested in the metabolism of sex steroids in the brain, in particular the aromatisation of testosterone into estradiol and in the interaction of steroids with neurotransmitters. Neurochemical and neuroanatomical sex differences are analyzed to determine to what extend they are able to explain sex differences in behavior and physiology.We are also interested in the control by steroids of the neural plasticity observed during ontogeny but also in adulthood.
Publication of the book «BIOLOGIE DE L’HOMOSEXUALITE: On nait homosexuel, on ne choisit pas de l’être»
(Mardaga, Février 2010)
This research group is part of the GIGA Neurosciences at the University of Liege , Belgium
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