Plastic endocrine regulation of year-round territorial aggression in tropical male spotted antbirds. 2011

Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Department of Migration and Immuno-Ecology, Radolfzell, Germany. mhau@orn.mpg.de

Studies investigating the hormonal regulation of aggression often focus on the role of the steroid hormone testosterone (T). These studies have generally found an association in temperate zone species between T and male aggression in a reproductive context. However, in most temperate zone species seasonal variation in reproductive context cannot easily be separated from concomitant seasonal changes in other variables, including territory location and partner presence. Therefore, we investigated the hormonal regulation of territorial aggression in a tropical bird that breeds seasonally, but remains mated and territorial year-round. Free-living male spotted antbirds (Hylophylax n. naevioides) displayed similar aggressive behavior in the non-breeding, early, and middle breeding seasons when exposed to a simulated territorial intrusion (STI). Plasma T concentrations after STIs were low and seasonally invariant, but plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was elevated during the non-breeding season. Simultaneous administration of pharmacological inhibitors of androgenic and estrogenic actions during the non-breeding season was less effective in reducing aggressive behavior of captive males compared with a previous study conducted during the breeding season. Hence, in male spotted antbirds endocrine mechanisms appear to vary with reproductive context, both in DHEA concentrations and in the importance of T for regulating aggressive behavior. Furthermore, combining the current data with previous findings suggests that short-term increases in T during aggressive interactions in this tropical species are dependent on the context and the intensity of aggressive stimuli, regardless of season.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D003687 Dehydroepiandrosterone A major C19 steroid produced by the ADRENAL CORTEX. It is also produced in small quantities in the TESTIS and the OVARY. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can be converted to TESTOSTERONE; ANDROSTENEDIONE; ESTRADIOL; and ESTRONE. Most of DHEA is sulfated (DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE) before secretion. Dehydroisoandrosterone,Prasterone,5-Androsten-3-beta-hydroxy-17-one,5-Androsten-3-ol-17-one,Androstenolone,DHEA,Prasterone, 3 alpha-Isomer,5 Androsten 3 beta hydroxy 17 one,5 Androsten 3 ol 17 one,Prasterone, 3 alpha Isomer
D004703 Endocrine System The system of glands that release their secretions (hormones) directly into the circulatory system. In addition to the ENDOCRINE GLANDS, included are the CHROMAFFIN SYSTEM and the NEUROSECRETORY SYSTEMS. Endocrine Systems,System, Endocrine,Systems, Endocrine
D005260 Female Females
D000374 Aggression Behavior which may be manifested by destructive and attacking action which is verbal or physical, by covert attitudes of hostility or by obstructionism. Aggressions
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001522 Behavior, Animal The observable response an animal makes to any situation. Autotomy Animal,Animal Behavior,Animal Behaviors
D012621 Seasons Divisions of the year according to some regularly recurrent phenomena usually astronomical or climatic. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Seasonal Variation,Season,Seasonal Variations,Variation, Seasonal,Variations, Seasonal
D012919 Social Behavior Any behavior caused by or affecting another individual or group usually of the same species. Sociality,Behavior, Social,Behaviors, Social,Social Behaviors
D013731 Territoriality Behavior in defense of an area against another individual or individuals primarily of the same species. Territorialities

Related Publications

Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
January 2000, General and comparative endocrinology,
Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
January 2013, Hormones and behavior,
Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
September 2007, Proceedings. Biological sciences,
Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
May 1976, Behavioral biology,
Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
January 2004, Hormones and behavior,
Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
June 1976, Behavioral biology,
Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
August 2001, General and comparative endocrinology,
Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
January 2010, Hormones and behavior,
Michaela Hau, and Katherine Beebe
March 2019, Die Naturwissenschaften,
Copied contents to your clipboard!