Pierre Deviche
Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Physiological Adaptations to Extreme Environments, Vertebrate Reproductive Endocrinology
Research in our laboratory focuses on the neuroendocrine mechanisms that control reproductive physiology and behavior in seasonally breeding birds. Most bird species that live at middle and high latitudes reproduce seasonally. Seasonal reproductive system development and regression concur with profound behavioral changes. For example, in many species song is a seasonal and sexually dimorphic behavior, is gonadal hormone-dependent, and is controlled by specific interconnected brain regions. In adults, neural plasticity throughout adult life results in continuous incorporation of new cells into some of these regions and in cell elimination. As a result, the size of some brain regions changes seasonally concurrent with vocal behavior production. We are using a multi-disciplinary approach to elucidate the relationships between gonadal hormones, vocal behavior, and its neuroanatomical substrate, and we are interested in deciphering the underlying cellular mechanisms involved. Our research also addresses the role of other neurochemicals, in particular opioid peptides and their receptors, that are present in brain regions responsible for vocal behavior control.
In most birds inhabiting temperate and northern latitudes, seasonal development of the reproductive system is induced primarily by the stimulatory influence of long photoperiod. Prolonged exposure to long days, however, induces photorefractoriness. At this time, birds become desensitized to the stimulatory effect of light as a result of centrally mediated neuroendocrine alterations, and their reproductive system regresses. We are investigating the neural bases of photorefractoriness with particular attention to role of two neuropeptides, gonadotropin-releasing hormone and vasoactive intestinal neuropeptide. Birds that breed opportunistically and/or live in extreme climatic conditions are particularly appropriate for investigating the neuroendocrine bases of photorefractoriness.
We are also conducting research on the hormonal bases of avian blood parasite infection susceptibility. There is evidence that gonadal steroids negative affects immune responses. Seasonal changes in plasma concentrations of these steroids may, therefore, regulate resistance to insect-transmitted parasites or influence the relapse of pre-existing infections, possibly altering survival and reproductive success of the birds. We integrate field and laboratory studies to address these possibilities and to understand the mechanisms involved in seasonal changes in insect-transmitted parasite resistance.
Selected Publications
Bailowitz, R., Danforth D., and Deviche P. (2009). West Mexico Updated. Argia 21: 15-18.
Deviche P., Fokidis H.B., Lerbour B. and Greiner E. (2010). Blood parasitaemia in a high latitude flexible breeder, the white-winged crossbill, Loxia leucoptera: contribution of seasonal relapse versus new inoculations. Parasitology 137: 261-273
Deviche P. (2009): Reproductive physiology: Songbird study removes long-standing neuroendocrinology research roadblock. Endocrinology 150: 1561-1562.
Fokidis H.B., Orchinik M., & Deviche P. (2009). Corticosterone and corticosteroid binding globulin in birds: Relation to urbanization in a desert city. General and Comparative Endocrinology 160: 259-270.
Deviche P. (2008). Invited commentary: Seasonal rewiring of the songbird brain: an in vivo MRI study. European Journal of Neuroscience 28: 2474.
Deviche P. and Moore M. (2008). First documented observation of Common Teal (Anas crecca crecca) in Arizona. Arizona Field Ornithologists.
Deviche P., Sabo J. and Sharp P. J. (2008). Glutamatergic stimulation of luteinising hormone secretion in relatively refractory male songbirds. Journal of Neuroendocrinology 20, 1191–1202
Fokidis, H.B., Greiner E. C., Deviche, P. (2008). Interspecific variation in avian blood parasites and haematology associated with urbanization in a desert habitat. J. Avian Biol. 39: 300-310, 2008.
Deviche, P., McGraw, K.J., and Underwood, J. (2008). Season-, sex-, and age-specific accumulation of plasma carotenoid pigments in free-ranging White-winged Crossbills (Loxia leucoptera). J. Avian Biol. 39: 283-292, 2008.
Strand, C. R, Ross, M. S., Weiss, S. L., Deviche, P. (2008). Testosterone and social context affect singing behavior but not song control region volumes in adult male songbirds in the fall. Behavorial Processes 78, 29-37.
Small, T. W., Sharp, P. J., Bentley, G. E., Deviche, P. (2008). Relative photorefractoriness, prolactin, and reproductive regression in a flexibly breeding Sonoran Desert passerine, the Rufous-winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis. Journal of Biological Rhythms 23, 69-80.
Small, T.W., Sharp, P.J., Bentley, G.E., Millar, R.P., Tsutsui, K., Strand , C. and Deviche, P. (2008). Auditory stimulation of reproductive function in male Rufous-winged Sparrows, Aimophila carpalis. Hormones and Behavior 53: 28-39.
Small, T.W., Sharp, P.J., Bentley, G.E., Millar, R.P., Tsutsui, K., Mura, E., and Deviche, P. (2008). Photoperiod-independent hypothalamic regulation of luteinizing hormone secretion in a free-living Sonoran desert bird, the Rufous-Winged Sparrow ( Aimophila carpalis ). Brain, Behavior and Evolution 71:127-142.
Strand, C., Small, T. W., and Deviche P. (2007). Plasticity of the Rufous-winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis, song control regions during the monsoon-associated summer breeding period. Hormones and Behavior 52: 401-408
Small T.W., Sharp P.J., and Deviche P. (2007). Environmental regulation of the reproductive system in a flexibly breeding Sonoran Desert bird, the Rufous-winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis. Hormones and Behavior 51: 483-495
Strand, C. and Deviche P. (2007). Hormonal and environmental control of song control region growth and new neuron addition in adult male House Finches, Carpodacus mexicanus. Developmental Neurobiology 67: 827-837.
Singletary K.G., Deviche P., Strand C., and Delville Y. (2006). Distribution of orexin/hypocretin immunoreactivity in the brain of a male songbird, the house finch, Carpodacus mexicanus. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy 32: 81-89.
Ottinger M.A., Corbitt C., Hoffman R., Thompson N., Russek-Cohen E., and Deviche P. (2006). Reproductive aging in Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica is associated with changes in central opioid receptors. Brain Research 1126: 167-175.
Deviche P., Small T., Sharp P.J, Kazuyoshi T. (2006). Control of luteinizing hormone and testosterone secretion in a flexibly breeding male passerine, the Rufous-winged Sparrow, Aimophila carpalis. General and Comparative Endocrinology 149: 226-235.
Deviche P., Martin R.K., Small T., and Sharp P.J. (2006). Testosterone induces testicular development but reduces GnRH-I fiber density in the brain of the House Finch, Carpodacus mexicanus. General and Comparative Endocrinology 147: 167-174.
Deviche P. and Parris J. (2006). Testosterone treatment to free-ranging male Dark-eyed Juncos, Junco hyemalis , exacerbates hemoparasitic infection. The Auk 123: 548-562.
Meddle S.L., Wingfield J.C., Millar R.P., and Deviche P. (2006). Hypothalamic GnRH-I and its precursor during photorefractoriness onset in free-living male Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) of different year classes. General and Comparative Endocrinology 145: 148-156
Deviche P., McGraw K., and Greiner E. (2005). Interspecific differences in hematozoan infection in Sonoran desert Aimophila sparrows. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41: 532-541.
Deviche P. and Cortez L. (2005). Androgen control of immunocompetence in the male house finch, Carpodacus mexicanus Müller. Journal of Experimental Biology 208: 1287-1295.
Corbitt C. and Deviche P. (2005). Age-related difference in size of brain regions for song learning in adult male Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis). Brain, Behavior and Evolution 65: 268-277.
Deviche P. and Small T. (2005). Environmental control of reproduction in Sonoran desert Aimophila sparrows. In Functional Avian Endocrinology (Eds. A. Dawson and P.J. Sharp). Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi , India , pp.153-166.
Plumari L., Plateroti S., Deviche P., and Panzica G.C. (2004): Region-specific testosterone modulation of the vasotocin-immunoreactive system in male dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis. Brain Research 999: 1-8.
MacDougall-Shackleton S.A., Deviche P., Crain R.D., Ball G.F., and Hahn T.P. (2002) Seasonal changes in brain GnRH immunoreactivity and song-control nuclei volumes in an opportunistically breeding songbird. Brain, Behav. Evol. 58: 38-48.
Deviche P., Breuner C., and Orchinik M. (2001). Testosterone, corticosterone, and photoperiod interact to regulate free steroid hormone levels in Dark-eyed Juncos, Junco hyemalis. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 122: 67-77.
Deviche P. and Sharp P.J. (2001) Reproductive endocrinology of a free-living, opportunistically breeding passerine (White-winged Crossbill, Loxia leucoptera). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 123: 268-279.
Dloniak S.M. and Deviche P. (2001) Effects of testosterone and photoperiodic condition on song production and vocal control region volumes in adult male Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis). Horm. Behav. 39: 95-105.
Deviche, P., Greiner E.C., and Manteca , X. (2001) Seasonal and age-related changes in blood parasite prevalence in Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis, Aves, Passeriformes). J. Exper. Zool. 289: 456-466.
Deviche P., Greiner E.C., and Manteca X. (2001) Interspecific variability of prevalence in blood parasites of adult passerine birds during the breeding season in Alaska. J. Wildlife Diseases 37: 28-35.
Deviche P., Wingfield J.C., and Sharp P.J. (2000) Year-class differences in the reproductive system, plasma prolactin and corticosterone concentrations, and onset of prebasic molt in male Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) during the breeding period. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol 118: 425-435.
Deviche P. (2000) Timing, pattern, and extent of first prebasic molt of White-winged Crossbills in Alaska. J. Field Ornithol 71: 217-226.
Deviche P. and Gulledge C.C. (2000) Vocal control region sizes of an adult female passerine songbird change seasonally in the absence of detectable circulating testosterone. J. Neurobiol. 42:202-211.
Deviche P., Saldanha C.J., and Silver R. (2000) Changes in brain gonadotropin releasing hormone- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like immunoreactivity accompanying re-establishment of photosensitivity in male Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 117:8-19.
Gulledge C.C. and Deviche P. (1999) Age and sex-related differences in opioid receptor densities in the songbird vocal control system. J. Comp. Neurol. 404: 505-514.
Panzica G.C., Plumari L., Garcia-Ojeda E., and Deviche P. (1999) Central vasotocin-immunoreactive system in a male passerine bird (Junco hyemalis). J. Comp. Neurol. 409: 105-117.
Gulledge C.C. and Deviche P. (1998) Photoperiod and testosterone independently affect vocal control region volumes in adolescent male songbirds. J. Neurobiol. 36: 550-558.
Gulledge C.C. and Deviche P. (1997) Androgen control of vocal control region volumes in a wild, migratory songbird (Junco hyemalis) is region- and possible age-dependent. J. Neurobiol. 32: 391-402.
Deviche P. (1997) Seasonal reproductive pattern of White-winged Crossbills in interior Alaska. J. Field Ornithol. 68: 613-621.
Deviche P. (1997) Affinity of naloxone and its quaternary analogue for avian central delta and mu opioid receptors. Brain Res. 757: 276-279.