Effects of an oral contraceptive on sexual behavior of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Nadler, Ronald D.; Dahl, Jeremy F.; Gould, Kenneth G.; Collins, Delwood C.

doi:10.1007/bf01541569

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Long‐tailed macaque ( Macaca fascicularis ) females on CBC behaved more aggressively toward subordinates in the presence of a male [Shively et al, ] but also received more contact aggression [Henderson and Shively, ]. In chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ), the use of CBC was found to eliminate mating behavior in male–female dyads with weak social bonds and reduce mating behavior in highly compatible dyads, and although females did not display fewer receptive behaviors to male advances, both sexes exhibited fewer proceptive behaviors when females were contracepted [Nadler et al, ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of combination birth control on estrous behavior in captive western lowland gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla

2011

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Combination birth control pills (CBC) are one of the most common birth control methods used for western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) housed in zoos. Since zoos are interested in maintaining as many natural behaviors as possible, it is important to know how contraception may affect social and sexual interactions among group members. Although some data are available regarding the influence of the pill on sexual behavior in human females, no data are available on its effects on gorilla estrous behavior. We examined temporal trends of estrous, aggressive, affiliative, and activity budget data in four females on CBC at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL. Behavioral data were collected using point sampling, all-occurrence records, and one-zero sampling. Estrous behavior occurred in less than 1% of observations. Using all-occurrence and one-zero sampling, estrous behavior occurred more frequently in week one of the cycle than any other week. The focal females exhibited affiliative, aggressive, and activity budget data evenly across their cycles. There were also no temporal trends in proximity to the silverback. Females varied by the types of estrous behavior they exhibited. We give a hormonal explanation for the prevalence of estrous behaviors in week one, and recommendations for effective behavioral sampling of gorilla estrous behavior.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of combination birth control on estrous behavior in captive western lowland gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla

2011

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“…A shift in sexual and reproductive behavioral timing away from the expected mid‐cycle is consistent with previous work in gorillas (Figure 1 and Table 3) (Sarfaty et al, 2012). Mid‐cycle sexual behavior and receptivity increase in both humans (Shirazi et al, 2018; Wilcox et al, 2004) and gorillas (Margulis et al, 2007; Nadler et al, 1993), corresponding with the time of ovulation. Previous work showed that there was a shift in estrous behavior in gorillas on oral contraceptives with most observations occurring during the hormone‐free weeks (Sarfaty et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Jacobs et al (2014) similarly found that sexual behavior in noncontracepted females was also rare, with sexual behavior (along with three other broad categories of behavior) comprising only 5% of the activity budget. Results in chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) and bonobos ( P. paniscus ) are more varied, but in both species, reductions in sexual behavior have been associated with contraception use, although to a lesser extent than in gorillas (Agnew et al, 2016; Nadler et al, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical contraceptive impacts on cyclic progesterone and sexual behavior in zoo‐housed Western lowland gorillas

LeFauve

Margulis

2022

American J Primatol

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For regularly cycling primates in captivity, chemical contraceptives can be used to reduce the likelihood of unintentional offspring, but the effects on cyclic progesterone and sexual behavior have not been well studied in gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). As zoos are invested in maintaining naturalistic behaviors and physiology, this is an important aspect of gorilla physical and mental health. We examined how exposure to combination and progestin-only oral birth control pills altered cyclic progesterone and timing of sexual behaviors in four female gorillas at four institutions compared to cycling controls. Hormonal data were collected using fecal steroid metabolites as detected by enzyme immunoassay. Behavioral data were collected via one-zero sampling done by keeper staff. All methods of oral contraceptive eliminated the ovarian cycle, with fecal progestogens being maintained below baselines in cycling control individuals. There was also no evidence of any cyclic patterning in endogenous progesterone, suggesting that the methods tested do not allow for detection of a recovery of endogenous progesterone during a short no-pill period. We also found that the oral contraceptives altered the timing of behavioral displays when compared to cycling control individuals but was not directly related to any fluctuations in endogenous progesterone. This study reveals a need for additional research on contraceptive use in gorillas and reinforces that sexual behavior in gorillas is both hormonally and socially mediated.

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“…Goodrowe et al [] demonstrated effectiveness of Demulen ® 50 (a COC) in suppressing ovarian cycling in female lowland gorillas, as well as resumption of cycling upon termination. The effects of OCPs on sexual behavior have been described in chimpanzees [Nadler et al, ] and gorillas [Sarfaty et al, ]. Nadler et al [] also explored the relationship between sexual swellings and increasing doses of estrogen in chimpanzees.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A survey of bonobo (Pan paniscus) oral contraceptive pill use in North American zoos

Agnew

Cheryl

Clyde³

et al. 2016

Zoo Biology

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Contraception is an essential tool in reproductive management of captive species. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Reproductive Management Center (RMC) gathers data on contraception use and provides recommendations. Although apes have been given oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) for at least 30 years, there have been no published reports with basic information on why the pill is administered, formulations and brands used, and effects on physiology and behavior. Here, we report survey results characterizing OCP use in bonobos (Pan paniscus) housed in North American zoos, as well as information accumulated in the RMC's Contraception Database. Of 26 females treated, there have been no failures and nine reversals. The most commonly administered OCP formulation in bonobos contained ethinyl estradiol (EE) 35 μg/norethindrone 1 mg. Few females on combined oral contraceptives (COCs) were given a continuous active pill regimen; a hormone-free interval of at least 5 days was allowed in most. Crushing the pill and mixing with juice or food was common. Females on COCs seldom experienced breakthrough estrus or bleeding, while these conditions were sometimes observed for females on continuous COCs. All females on COCs exhibited some degree of perineal swelling, with a mean score of 3 or 3+ most commonly reported. Behavioral changes included less sexual behavior, dominant females becoming subordinate, and a negative effect on mood. No appreciable change in weight was noted. Taken together, these results indicate that OCPs are an effective and reversible contraceptive option for bonobos that can be used by zoos and sanctuaries to limit reproduction. Zoo Biol. 35:444-453, 2016. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Effects of an oral contraceptive on sexual behavior of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

Abstract: The following corrections should be noted for the article, "Effects of an Oral Contraceptive on Sexual Behavior of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes),"

Cited by 5 publications

References 23 publications

Effects of combination birth control on estrous behavior in captive western lowland gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla

Effects of combination birth control on estrous behavior in captive western lowland gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla

Chemical contraceptive impacts on cyclic progesterone and sexual behavior in zoo‐housed Western lowland gorillas

A survey of bonobo (Pan paniscus) oral contraceptive pill use in North American zoos

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