Sex-specific endocrine regulation of seasonal aggression in Siberian hamsters.

ABSTRACT: Coordinating physiological and behavioural processes across the annual cycle is essential in enabling individuals to maximize fitness. While the mechanisms underlying seasonal reproduction and its associated behaviours are well characterized, fewer studies have examined the hormonal basis of non-reproductive social behaviours (e.g. aggression) on a seasonal time scale. Our previous work suggests that the pineal hormone melatonin facilitates a 'seasonal switch' in neuroendocrine regulation of aggression in male and female Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus), specifically by acting on the adrenal glands to increase the production of the androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) during the short-day (SD) photoperiods of the non-breeding season. Here, we provide evidence that the activit

SUBMITTER: Munley KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9470250 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature