Neuroanatomical distribution of progesterone receptor in the female lizard, Podarcis sicula.

Sexual behavior in female vertebrates is dependent upon the cyclic release of the ovarian steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone and their binding to the brain receptors. We previously demonstrated the presence of specific binder for 3H-progesterone and the brain staining with PR 22, an antibody anti-progesterone receptor, in the adult female lizard, Podarcis sicula. The purpose of this report was to investigate the lizard progesterone receptor neurodistribution. Nuclei, which contained cell labeled for the progesterone receptor were mainly identified in the preoptic-septal region, hypothalamus, amygdala, thalamus, tectum, torus semicircolaris, dorsal area of the medulla and also in the anterior pituitary. The neuroanatomical staining has been resulted similar to other lower vertebrate.