Functions of the steroid-responsive neural network in the control of male hamster sexual behavior

Gonadal steroid receptor-containing neurons in the brain are densely interconnected to form a steroid-responsive neural network within the limbic system. The possible functions of such a network include redundancy, signal amplification, stability, and selective filtering of hormonal cues to control steroid-dependent aspects of neuroendocrine secretion and behavior. Recently, the neural circuitry underlying male sexual behavior in the Syrian hamster has been used as a model for testing certain of these concepts. These studies provide functional evidence to support the network properties of gonadal steroid-responsive neurons in controlling hormone-dependent sexual behavior.