Results of Contact-Call Driven Zenk Protein Induction Experiments

We measured zenk protein induction and habituation in eight auditory areas of the budgerigar brain in response to stimulation with an unfamiliar contact call and with a contact call the birds were previously familiarized with (Brauth, et al, 2002). The results show that unfamiliar contact calls induce strong zenk protein expression in all auditory nuclei and that familiarization significantly reduces zenk expression throughout the auditory system. We also combined zenk protein induction with pathway tracing using biotinylated dextran amines (BDA). Double labeled cells were observed in the anterior auditory nuclei including the frontal lateral nidopallium (formerly the neostriatum) (NFl), ventromedial mesopallium (formerly hyperstriatum ventrale) (Mvm), supralaminar nucleus of the lateral nidopallium (NLs) and peri-nucleus basorostralis (formerly basalis) (Bas) when BDA was placed in MO (formerly HVo), the lateral MO surround (see above) or NLs. These results are consistent with the idea that neurons in NLs, pBas, NFl and Mvm are poised to process learned perceptual signals.

References:

Brauth, S., Liang, W., Roberts, T. F., Scott, L. L. and Quinlan, E. M. (2002) Contact call-driven zenk protein induction and habituation in telencephalic auditory pathways of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus): Implications for understanding vocal learning processes.Learning and Memory, 9:76-88.

Durand, S. E., Heaton, J. T., Amateau, S. and Brauth, S. E. (1997) Vocal control pathways through the anterior forebrain of a parrot (Melopsittacus undulatus). J. Comp. Neur. 377:179-206.

Farabaugh, S. M. and Wild, J. M. (1997) Reciprocal connections between primary and secondary auditory pathways in the telencephalon of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). Brain Res., 747:18-25.

Jarvis, E. D. and Mello, C. (2000) Molecular mapping of brain areas involved in parrot vocal communication. J. Comp. Neurol., 419:1-31

Brauth, S. E., Liang, W. and Roberts, T. F. (2001) Projections of the oval nucleus of the hyperstriatum ventrale in the budgerigar: Relationships with the auditory system. J. Comp. Neur., 432:481-511.

Striedter, G. (1994) The vocal control pathways in budgerigars differ from those in songbirds. J. Comp. Neur. 343:35-56.