Tracheosyringeal nerve transection in juvenile male zebra finches decreases BDNF in HVC and RA and the projection between them

• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is expressed in the developing song system.
• Tracheosyringeal nerve transection in juvenile males decreases BDNF in HVC and RA.
• The manipulation does not affect BDNF in LMAN or Area X.

This study investigated relationships among disruption of normal vocal learning, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and the morphology of song nuclei in juvenile male zebra finches. The tracheosyringeal nerves were bilaterally transected at post-hatching day 20–25, so that the animals could not properly develop species-typical vocalizations. BDNF protein and the projection from HVC to the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) were quantified during the sensorimotor integration phase of song development. The manipulation decreased the number of BDNF cells in HVC and RA, the volume of these areas defined by BDNF labeling, and the projection from HVC to RA. BDNF was not affected in Area X or the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium (LMAN). Thus, inhibition of a bird's ability to practice and/or to hear its own typically developing song specifically diminishes BDNF expression in cortical motor regions required for song production.