Dr. Nicole Schwartz: The distribution of urocortin-3 expression in the brain of parental and non-parental Japanese quail
December 12, 2024
At our 2024 GCI Postdoc Showcase, Postdoctoral Fellow Nicole Schwartz presented a poster about neural mechanisms in Japanese quail. To learn more about her research, reach out to Dr. Schwartz at nicschwartz@chapman.edu.
ABSTRACT: The neural mechanisms involved in the transition between a non-parental to a parental state are not completely understood. In mammals, pregnancy-induced physiological changes likely “prime” neural circuits for attraction (and reduced aggression) to offspring. However, not all parental care can be explained by such changes (e.g., paternal care in mammals or parental care in birds). In my postdoctoral research, I have focused on the role of neuropeptides (e.g., urocortin-3) in the development of parental care behavior in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). By better understanding the expression and distribution of urocortin-3 in the brains of parental vs non-parental quail, we seek to identify key regions within the brain that may be associated with chick-directed parental care.