Neuronal composition of the magnocellular division of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN mag) is sex specific in the Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

The magnocellular division of the medial Preoptic nucleus (MPN mag) plays a critical role in the regulation of male sexual behavior in the hamster. Results from previous studies indicated that the number of neurons in the MPN mag is greater in males than females but failed to find significant differences in the volume of the nucleus suggesting that other elements in the nucleus may be greater in the female. The results of the present study, using NeuN to identify neurons, are in line with this hypothesis. The data show that (1) neurons in the MPN mag display two distinct phenotypes, those with a single nucleolus and those with multiple nucleoli; (2) the percentage of each phenotype is sex specific, differing over the course of development and (3) there is no sex difference in the number of glial cells at any age. Sex differences in the numbers of each type are correlated with developmental milestones and suggest that morphological changes are influenced by changes in circulating gonadal steroids during development.

Research highlights
► The MPN mag contains neurons with single and multiple nucleoli.
► Male and female hamsters have sex specific neuronal types in the MPN mag.
► Neurons with a single nucleolus emerge after birth.
► The emergence of sex differences in neuronal type coincides with puberty.