Social cues and hormone levels in male Octodon degus (Rodentia): a field test of the Challenge Hypothesis

Soto‐Gamboa, Mauricio; Villalón, Manuel; Bozinovic, Francisco

doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2004.11.010

Cited by 58 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…Thus, in contrast to the other social classes, breeding males might not need an increase of basal corticosterone levels. Another explanation could be that testosterone has an inhibitory effect on corticosterone secretion (Place and Kenagy, 2000) which would also explain why breeding males are the only social class that show an increase instead of decrease of corticosterone levels from the breeding to the non-breeding season, when testosterone levels decline (for a similar effect in Octodon degu see Soto-Gamboa, Villalon, and Bozinovic, 2005). However, I did not find a significant influence of testosterone on corticosterone in my analysis, weakening support for this hypothesis.…”

Section: Testosterone Levels: Influences Of Social Class and Seasonmentioning

confidence: 80%

Seasonal changes in testosterone and corticosterone levels in four social classes of a desert dwelling sociable rodent

Schradin

2008

Hormones and Behavior

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Seasonal changes in testosterone and corticosterone levels in four social classes of a desert dwelling sociable rodent Schradin, C Schradin, C (2008). Seasonal changes in testosterone and corticosterone levels in four social classes of a desert dwelling sociable rodent. Seasonal changes in testosterone and corticosterone levels in four social classes of a desert dwelling sociable rodent AbstractAnimals have to adjust their physiology to seasonal changes, in response to variation in food availability, social tactics and reproduction. I compared basal corticosterone and testosterone levels in free ranging striped mouse from a desert habitat, comparing between the sexes, breeding and philopatric non-breeding individuals, and between the breeding and the non-breeding season. I expected differences between breeders and non-breeders and between seasons with high and low food availability. Basal serum corticosterone was measured from 132 different individuals and serum testosterone from 176 different individuals of free living striped mice. Corticosterone and testosterone levels were independent of age, body weight and not influenced by carrying a transmitter. The levels of corticosterone and testosterone declined by approximately 50% from the breeding to the non-breeding season in breeding females as well as non-breeding males and females. In contrast, breeding males showed much lower corticosterone levels during the breeding season than all other classes, and were the only class that showed an increase of corticosterone from the breeding to the non-breeding season. As a result, breeding males had similar corticosterone levels as other social classes during the non-breeding season. During the breeding season, breeding males had much higher testosterone levels than other classes, which decreased significantly from the breeding to the non-breeding season. My results support the prediction that corticosterone decreases during periods of low food abundance. Variation in the pattern of hormonal secretion in striped mice might assist them to cope with seasonal changes in energy demand in a desert habitat. AbstractAnimals have to adjust their physiology to seasonal changes, in response to variation in food availability, social tactics and reproduction. I compared basal corticosterone and testosterone levels in free ranging striped mouse from a desert habitat, comparing between the sexes, breeding and philopatric non-breeding individuals, and between the breeding and the non-breeding season. I expected differences between breeders and nonbreeders and between seasons with high and low food availability. Basal serum corticosterone was measured from 132 different individuals and serum testosterone from 176 different individuals of free living striped mice. Corticosterone and testosterone levels were independent of age, body weight and not influenced by carrying a transmitter.The levels of corticosterone and testosterone declined by approximately 50% from the breeding to the non-breeding season in breeding females as well as n...

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Section: Testosterone Levels: Influences Of Social Class and Seasonmentioning

confidence: 80%

Seasonal changes in testosterone and corticosterone levels in four social classes of a desert dwelling sociable rodent

Schradin

2008

Hormones and Behavior

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“…The Challenge Hypothesis predicts that increases in testosterone above breeding baselines relate to aggressive behavior, such as maintaining a breeding territory or mate guarding [70]. Although the Challenge Hypothesis is based mostly on data from birds, some mammals such as Wied's marmosets, Callithrix kuhlii [42], degus, Octodon degus [61], chimpanzees [41] and humans, Homo sapiens [2] also conform to its predictions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex, stress and social status: Patterns in fecal testosterone and glucocorticoid metabolites in male Ethiopian wolves

Kesteren

Sillero‐Zubiri

Millar

et al. 2012

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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“…Moreover, we hypothesised also a significant influence on plasma testosterone concentrations in both types of males since the neuroendocrine profile of socially challenged animals comprises not only effects on plasma cortisol, but also on testosterone concentrations [42–44]. More specifically, we expected higher levels of plasma testosterone concentrations in UE-sons compared to SE-sons.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Start early! Does social instability during the pre- and early postnatal development prepare male wild cavies for social challenge later in life?

et al. 2017

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BackgroundThe social environment the mother experiences during pregnancy and lactation can powerfully influence the offspring’s behavioural profile. Our previous studies in wild cavies show that two different social environments during pregnancy and lactation bring about different behavioural strategies of male offspring later in life: An unstable social environment leads to a behavioural camouflage strategy, hypothesised to be beneficial at times of socially challenging situations. A stable social environment during early phases of life, however, leads to an early reproduction strategy, expected to be more successful at times of social stability. In the present study, we observed the behavioural strategies of the two types of males in direct comparison in a socially challenging situation: Two adolescent males were placed simultaneously in an unknown social group consisting of one adult male and two females in a semi-naturalistic environment. Cortisol as well as testosterone concentrations and activity levels were compared. Furthermore, paternities were analysed after the males reached sexual maturity. We hypothesised that sons showing a behavioural camouflage strategy are better adapted to cope with this socially challenging situation compared to those displaying an early reproduction strategy.ResultsAt the beginning of the experiment, no differences in plasma cortisol concentrations between the males were found, both showed a highly significant increase due to the challenging situation. From day 5 until the end of the experiment (duration = 40 days) sons showing an early reproduction strategy had significantly higher plasma cortisol concentrations compared with those showing a behavioural camouflage strategy. Plasma testosterone concentrations did not differ significantly. Activity levels decreased significantly over time independently of the male’s behavioural strategy. Both types of males did not sire offspring during the observation period.ConclusionHigher cortisol values from day 5 until the end of the experiment in sons showing an early reproduction strategy indicate higher levels of stress in these males compared to those displaying a camouflage strategy. We conclude that the modulation of the males behavioural strategy due to an unstable social environment during early development facilitates the endocrine adaptation to a comparable social situation later in life.

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Social cues and hormone levels in male Octodon degus (Rodentia): a field test of the Challenge Hypothesis

Cited by 58 publications

References 56 publications

Seasonal changes in testosterone and corticosterone levels in four social classes of a desert dwelling sociable rodent

Seasonal changes in testosterone and corticosterone levels in four social classes of a desert dwelling sociable rodent

Sex, stress and social status: Patterns in fecal testosterone and glucocorticoid metabolites in male Ethiopian wolves

Start early! Does social instability during the pre- and early postnatal development prepare male wild cavies for social challenge later in life?

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