Ruth I. Wood
Professor of Cell and Neurobiology
Research Topics
- Sex: androgen control of male sexual behavior
- Drugs: abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids
Research Overview
My research investigates neural circuits through which androgens act on the brain to control reproductive neuroendocrine function and behavior, both during development and in the adult.We use mating behavior in the male Syrian hamster to investigate hormone action in the adult brain. Sexual behavior in the male hamster requires both gonadal steroid hormones and chemosensory cues. We have shown that interactions between odors and hormones are essential for mating. Current studies combine neuroanatomical techniques with behavioral measures to determine which brain regions transduce hormonal cues for mating, how these brain regions are interconnected, and how odors combine with steroids at the cellular level.
A related line of research investigates the neurobiology of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse. AAS are drugs of abuse, but the potential for dependence and addiction remains unclear. Recently studies from our laboratory have shown that male and female hamsters will voluntarily self-administer testosterone and other AAS. Furthermore, we have observed fatal androgen overdose during self-administration. This suggests that AAS are potentially addictive, independent of their effects on muscle mass or athletic performance.
In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Michigan, we use sheep to study the control of postnatal reproductive neuroendocrine function by the prenatal steroid environment. Steroid treatment of pregnant ewes alters the tempo and character of juvenile behavior, pubertal maturation, and hypothalamic neuroanatomy. This has implications for understanding adolescent brain maturation and the development of gender identity.
Contact Information
- E-mail:
- riw@usc.edu
- Mailing Address:
- Keck School of Medicine of USC
Department of Cell and Neurobiology
1333 San Pablo St., BMT 401
Los Angeles, CA 90033 - Office Location:
- BMT 408a
- Office Phone:
- (323) 442-1980
- Lab Location:
- BMT 408
- Lab Phone:
- (323) 442-2094
- Fax:
- (323) 442-3466
Education
- BS 1986 Animal Science- University of California, Davis
- PhD 1991 Physiology- University of Michigan
- Post-doc 1991-1994 Anatomy & Cell Biology- University of Michigan
Research Images
Selected Publications
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Schauwecker PE, Wood RI, Lorenzana AO. (2009) Neuroprotection against excitotoxic brain injury in two mouse models of menopause. Brain Res, 1265:37-46.
Gorton LM, Mahoney MM,Magorien JE, Lee TM, Wood RI (2009). Estrogenreceptor immunoreactivity in late-gestation fetal lambs. Biol Reprod 80:1152–1159.
Triemstra JL, Sato SM, Wood RI. (2008) Testosterone and nucleus accumbens dopamine in the male Syrian hamster. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 33(3):386-394 -PubMed
Sato SM, Schulz KM, Sisk CL, Wood RI. (2008) Adolescents and androgens, receptors and rewards. Horm Behav. 53(5):647-658. -PubMed
Wood RI. (2008) Anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence? Insights from animals and humans. Front Neuroendocrinol. 29(4):490-506. -PubMed
Ballard CL, Wood RI. (2007) Partner preference in male hamsters: Steroids, sexual experience and chemosensory cues. Physiol Behav. -PubMed
Nagypal A, Wood RI. (2007) Region-specific mechanisms for testosterone-induced Fos in hamster brain. Brain Res. 1141:197-204. -PubMed
DiMeo AN, Wood RI. (2006) Self-administration of estrogen and dihydrotestosterone in male hamsters. Horm Behav. 49(4):519-26. -PubMed
Dimeo AN, Wood RI. (2006) ICV testosterone induces Fos in male Syrian hamster brain. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 31(2):237-49. -PubMed