MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Hormones and Behavior' source. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:08:58 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5626616&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22265866%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Orr PT, Rubin AJ, Fan L, Kent BA, Frick KM Abstract Although much recent work has elucidated the biochemical mechanisms underlying the modulation of memory by 17β-estradiol, little is known about the signaling events through which progesterone (P) regulates memory. We recently demonstrated that immediate post-training infusion of P into the dorsal hippocampus enhances object recognition memory consolidation in young ovariectomized female mice (Orr et al., 2009). The goal of the present study was to identify the biochemical alterations that might underlie this mnemonic enhancement. We hypothesized that the P-induced enhancement of object recognition would be dependent on activation of the ERK and mTOR pathways. In young ovariectomized mice, we found that bilateral dorsal h... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5626616 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5626616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5626614&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22269661%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Goodson JL, Kelly AM, Kingsbury MA Abstract Of the major vertebrate taxa, Class Aves is the most extensively studied in relation to the evolution of social systems and behavior, largely because birds exhibit an incomparable balance of tractability, diversity, and cognitive complexity. In addition, like humans, most bird species are socially monogamous, exhibit biparental care, and conduct most of their social interactions through auditory and visual modalities. These qualities make birds attractive as research subjects, and also make them valuable for comparative studies of neuroendocrine mechanisms. This value has become increasingly apparent as more and more evidence shows that social behavior circuits of the basal forebrain and midbrain are deeply conserved (from an evo... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5626614 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5626614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5626618&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22265851%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McConnell SE, Alla J, Wheat E, Romeo RD, McEwen B, Thornton JE Abstract Attempts to determine the influence of testicular hormones on learning and memory in males have yielded contradictory results. The present studies examined whether testicular hormones are important for maximal levels of spatial memory in young adult male rats. To minimize any effect of stress, we used the Object Location Task which is a spatial working memory task that does not involve food or water deprivation or aversive stimuli for motivation. In Experiment 1 sham gonadectomized male rats demonstrated robust spatial memory, but gonadectomized males showed diminished spatial memory. In Experiment 2 subcutaneous testosterone (T) capsules restored spatial memory performance in gonadectomized male rats,... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5626618 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5626618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5626617&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22265852%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Guastella AJ, Macleod C Abstract The past eight years of research has demonstrated that oxytocin nasal spray has a significant impact on human social cognition. The aim of this review is to provide critical comment on the literature using an information-processing framework. We provide a summary of fundamental assumptions of information-processing models and highlight an impressive range of consistent findings that demonstrate the impact of oxytocin nasal spray on social information processing. These findings include that oxytocin nasal spray improves the early conceptual detection of affect from social cues and improves the accurate appraisal of affect from social cues at elaborate and strategic levels of processing. There is some evidence that these effects may be partic... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5626617 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5626617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5626615&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22266118%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Swaney WT, Dubose BN, Curley JP, Champagne FA Abstract Reproductive behavior in male rodents is made up of anticipatory and consummatory elements which are regulated in the brain by sensory systems, reward circuits and hormone signaling. Gonadal steroids play a key role in the regulation of male sexual behavior via steroid receptors in the hypothalamus and preoptic area. Typical patterns of male reproductive behavior have been characterized, however these are not fixed but are modulated by adult experience. We assessed the effects of repeated sexual experience on male reproductive behavior of C57BL/6 mice; including measures of olfactory investigation of females, mounting, intromission and ejaculation. The effects of sexual experience on the number of cells expressing eith... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5626615 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5626615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5626619&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22265141%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Choleris E, McCarthy MM, Kavaliers M PMID: 22265141 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5626619 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5626619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5607235&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22245314%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ebstein RP, Knafo A, Mankuta D, Chew SH, Lai PS Abstract Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are social hormones and mediate affiliative behaviors in mammals and as recently demonstrated, also in humans. There is intense interest in how these simple nonapeptides mediate normal and abnormal behavior, especially regarding disorders of the social brain such as autism that are characterized by deficits in social communication and social skills. The current review examines in detail the behavioral genetics of the first level of human AVP-OXT pathway genes including arginine vasopressin 1a receptor (AVPR1a), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), AVP (AVP-neurophysin II [NPII]) and OXT (OXT neurophysin I [NPI]), oxytocinase/vasopressinase (LNPEP), ADP-ribosyl cyclase (CD38) and arg... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5607235 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5607235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5607236&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22245313%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bales KL, Perkeybile AM Abstract The long-term effects of developmental experiences on social behavior, and the neuropeptide systems such as oxytocin which subserve the behavior, are still little understood. In this article, we review various types of early experience, including normal development, knockout models, pharmacological exposures, and early social experiences. We consider the processes by which experience can affect oxytocin receptor binding, and what is known about the directionality of experience effects on oxytocin receptors. Finally, we attempt to synthesize the literature into a predictive model as to the direction of early experience effects on oxytocin receptor binding potential, and whether these changes have functional significance. These predictions ar... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5607236 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5607236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5580222&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22227279%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Higashida H, Yokoyama S, Kikuchi M, Munesue T Abstract Here, we review the functional roles of cyclic ADP-ribose and CD38, a transmembrane protein with ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity, in mouse social behavior via the regulation of oxytocin (OXT) release, an essential component of social cognition. Herein we describe data detailing the molecular mechanism of CD38-dependent OXT secretion in CD38 knockout mice. We also review studies that used OXT, OXT receptor (OXTR), or CD38 knockout mice. Additionally, we compare the behavioral impairments that occur in these knockout mice in relation to the OXT system and CD38. This review also examines autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is characterized by social and communication impairments, in relation to defects in the OXT system. T... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5580222 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5580222 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5568680&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22210196%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: French JA, Smith AS, Gleason AM, Birnie AK, Mustoe A, Korgan A Abstract Variation in response styles in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are known to be predictors of short- and long-term health outcomes. The nature of HPA responses to stressors changes with developmental stage, and some components of the stress response exhibit long-term individual consistency (i.e., are trait-like) while others are transient or variable (i.e., state-like). Here we evaluated the response of marmoset monkeys (Callithrix geoffroyi) to a standardized social stressor (social separation and exposure to a novel environment) at three different stages of development: juvenile, subadult, and young adult. We monitored levels of urinary cortisol (CORT), and derived multiple measures of ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5568680 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5568680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5568679&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22210197%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Buwalda B, Scholte J, de Boer SF, Coppens CM, Koolhaas JM Abstract The mere presence of elevated plasma levels of corticosterone is generally regarded as evidence of compromised well-being. However, environmental stimuli do not necessarily need to be of a noxious or adverse nature to elicit activation of the stress response systems. In the present study, the physiological and neuroendocrine responses to repeated social stimuli that can be regarded as emotional opposites, i.e. social defeat and sexual behavior, were compared. Similar corticosterone responses were observed in animals confronted for the first time with either a highly aggressive male intruder or a receptive female, but a decrease was noticed in defeated rats tested during a third interaction. Only if animals ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5568679 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5568679 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5568678&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22210198%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Been LE, Petrulis A Abstract In many species, including Syrian hamsters, the generation of male reproductive behavior depends critically on the perception of female odor cues from conspecifics in the environment. The behavioral response to these odors is mediated by a network of steroid-sensitive ventral forebrain nuclei including the medial amygdala (MA), posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and medial preoptic area (MPOA). Previous studies have demonstrated that each of these three nuclei is required for appropriate sexual behavior and that MA preferentially sends female odor information directly to BNST and MPOA. It is unknown, however, how the functional connections between MA and BNST and/or MPOA are organized to generate different aspects of reproduct... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5568678 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5568678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5568677&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22210199%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Barrette MF, Monfort SL, Festa-Bianchet M, Clutton-Brock TH, Russell AF Abstract Glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) have been studied intensively to understand the associations between physiological stress and reproductive skew in animal societies. However, we have little appreciation of the range of either natural levels within and among individuals, or the associations among dominance status, reproductive rate and GC levels during breeding. To address these shortcomings, we examined variation in fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGC) during breeding periods in free-ranging female meerkats (Suricata suricatta) over 11years. The vast majority of variation in fGC levels was found within breeding events by the same females (~87%), with the remaining variation arising among breedi... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5568677 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5568677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5552883&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22206822%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Almeida O, Gozdowska M, Kulczykowska E, Oliveira RF Abstract The nonapeptides arginine-vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT), which are the teleost homologues of arginine-vasopressin and oxytocin in mammals, have well established peripheral effects on osmoregulation and stress response, and central effects on social behavior. However, all studies that have looked so far into the relationship between these nonapeptides and social behavior have used indirect measures of AVT/IT activity (i.e. immunohistochemistry of AVT/IT immunoreactive neurons, or AVT/IT or their receptors mRNA expression with in situ hybridization or qPCR) and therefore direct measures of peptide levels in relation to social behavior are still lacking. Here we use a recently developed high-performance liquid c... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5552883 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5552883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5552882&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22206823%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Modi ME, Young LJ Abstract Animal models and behavioral paradigms are critical for elucidating the neural mechanism involved in complex behaviors, including social cognition. Both genotype and phenotype based models have implicated the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in the regulation of social behavior. Based on the findings in animal models, alteration of the OT system has been hypothesized to play a role in the social deficits associated with autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders. While the evidence linking the peptide to the etiology of the disorder is not yet conclusive, evidence from multiple animal models suggest modulation of the OT system may be a viable strategy for the pharmacological treatment of social deficits. In this review, we will discuss how animal mode... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5552882 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5552882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5552889&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197269%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Veenema AH Abstract The early-life social environment has profound effects on brain development and subsequent expression of social behavior. Oxytocin and vasopressin are expressed and released in the brain and are important regulators of social behavior. Accordingly, the early social environment may alter social behaviors via changes in the oxytocin and/or vasopressin systems. To test this hypothesis, and to gain mechanistic insights, rodent models mimicking either a deprived (e.g. maternal separation) or enriched (e.g. neonatal handling) early social environment have been utilized. Findings indeed show that differences in the quality of the early social environment are associated with alterations in oxytocin and vasopressin expression and oxytocin receptor and vasopressi... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5552889 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5552889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5552888&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197270%26dopt%3DAbstract The neuropharmacology of prolactin secretion elicited by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy"): A concurrent microdialysis and plasma analysis study. Horm Behav. 2011 Dec 14; Authors: Murnane KS, Kimmel HL, Rice KC, Howell LL Abstract 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a substituted phenethylamine that is widely abused as the street drug "ecstasy". Racemic MDMA (S,R(+/-)-MDMA) and its stereoisomers elicit complex spectrums of psychobiological, neurochemical, and hormonal effects. In this regard, recent findings demonstrated that S,R(+/-)-MDMA and its stereoisomer R(-)-MDMA elicit increases in striatal extracellular serotonin levels and plasma levels of the hormone prolactin in rhesus monkeys. In the present mechanistic study, we evaluated the role of the se... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5552888 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5552888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5552887&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197271%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Churchland PS, Winkielman P Abstract Among its many roles in body and brain, oxytocin influences social behavior. Understanding the precise nature of this influence is crucial, both within the broader theoretical context of neurobiology, social neuroscience and brain evolution, but also within a clinical context of disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and autism. Research exploring oxytocin's role in human social behavior is difficult owing to its release in both body and brain and its interactive effects with other hormones and neuromodulators. Additional difficulties are due to the intricacies of the blood-brain barrier and oxytocin's instability, which creates measurement issues. Questions concerning how to interpret behavioral results of human experiments manipula... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5552887 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5552887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5552886&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197272%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bedrosian TA, Fonken LK, Demas GE, Nelson RJ Abstract Many nontropical species undergo physiological and behavioral adaptations in response to seasonal changes in photoperiod, or day length. In most rodent species, short winter photoperiods reduce testosterone concentrations, which provoke gonadal regression and reduce testosterone-dependent behaviors such as mating and aggression. Seasonally-breeding Siberian hamsters, however, are paradoxically more aggressive in short-days, despite much reduced reproductive activity and testosterone concentrations. Nitric oxide (NO) signaling has been proposed as part of an alternate mechanism underlying this phenomenon. A reduction in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), the enzyme responsible for synthesizing NO in the brain, is ass... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5552886 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5552886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5552885&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198307%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Perini T, Ditzen B, Hengartner M, Ehlert U Abstract Paternal care is associated with a reduced likelihood of engaging in competitive or mating behavior and an increased likelihood of providing protection when necessary. Over recent years, there has been increasing evidence to assume that the steroid testosterone (T) in men might reflect the degree of mating effort. In line with this, decreased T levels were shown in fathers compared to non-fathers and it was suggested that paternal care, and most behavior positively associated with T, might be incompatible with each other. Independently, the personality trait sensation seeking (SS) has been related to mating behavior and also to elevated T in men. Aiming to integrate these different lines of research in a longitudinal appr... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5552885 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5552885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5552884&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198308%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McGregor IS, Bowen MT Abstract Drug use typically occurs within a social context, and social factors play an important role in the initiation, maintenance and recovery from addictions. There is now accumulating evidence of an interaction between the neural substrates of affiliative behavior and those of drug reward, with a role for brain oxytocin systems in modulating acute and long-term drug effects. Early research in this field indicated that exogenous oxytocin administration can prevent development of tolerance to ethanol and opiates, the induction of stereotyped, hyperactive behavior by stimulants, and the withdrawal symptoms associated with sudden abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Additionally, stimulation of endogenous oxytocin systems is a key neurochemical substra... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5552884 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5552884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538796&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178036%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Smith AS, Wang Z Abstract Social relationships are a fundamental aspect of life, affecting social, psychological, physiological, and behavioral functions. While social interactions can attenuate stress and promote health, disruption, confrontations, isolation, or neglect in the social environment can each be major stressors. Social stress can impair the basal function and stress-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, impairing function of multiple biological systems and posing a risk to mental and physical health. In contrast, social support can ameliorate stress-induced physiological and immunological deficits, reducing the risk of subsequent psychological distress and improving an individual's overall well-being. For better clinical treatmen... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538796 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538797&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22178035%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Stevenson EL, Caldwell HK Abstract To date, much of the work in rodents implicating vasopressin (Avp) in the regulation of social behavior has focused on its action via the Avp 1a receptor (Avpr1a). However, there is mounting evidence that the Avp 1b receptor (Avpr1b) also plays a significant role in Avp's modulation of social behavior. The Avpr1b is heavily expressed on the anterior pituitary cortiocotrophs where it acts as an important modulator of the endocrine stress response. In the brain, the Avpr1b is prominent in the CA2 region of the hippocampus, but can also be found in areas such as the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and the olfactory bulb. Studies that have employed genetic knockouts or pharmacological manipulation of the Avpr1b point to the import... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538797 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538798&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22155114%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aubin-Horth N, Deschênes M, Cloutier S Abstract In several species, individuals from the same population behave differently from each other. A functional link between variation in personality traits and the stress response has been suggested by studies in artificial selection lines in fish, birds and mammals. The aim of this study was to test whether the expression of genes involved in the stress response co-varies with personality traits in a natural population. Four personality traits, excreted cortisol level and brain expression of six candidate genes (CRF, CRF-R2, POMC1, GR1, GR2, MR) were measured in non-stressed wild-caught threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus). We found correlations between variation in personality traits and variation in the expression ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538798 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538799&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154613%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, participants viewed movie clips depicting an emotionally intimate parent-child interaction or other, non-intimate themes, and we assessed whether depictions of emotional intimacy increased levels of estradiol, a steroid hormone associated with attachment and caregiving processes. We also examined whether estradiol responses were moderated by individual differences in attachment avoidance, or people's discomfort with closeness and intimacy. Our findings revealed that, among single participants, estradiol levels increased in response to the emotionally intimate clip, but this effect was not observed among currently partnered participants. Moreover, the effects of emotional intimacy were moderated by gender and attachment avoidance, such that highly avoidant women showed smalle... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538799 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538800&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22146101%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Norman GJ, Hawkley L, Luhmann M, Ball AB, Cole SW, Berntson GG, Cacioppo JT Abstract Oxytocin (OT) is a nonapeptide neurohormone that is involved in a broad array of physiological and behavioral processes related to health including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and social behaviors. The present study sought to explore the influence of genetic variation in the oxytocin receptor (SNP; rs53576) on autonomic and neurohormonal functioning across both resting and psychological stress conditions in a population based sample of older adults. Results revealed that A carrier males showed higher levels of resting sympathetic cardiac control as compared to their G/G counter parts. However, G/G participants displayed sig... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538800 Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538802&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22137971%26dopt%3DAbstract This study builds on a growing body of evidence indicating that men are attracted to cues of impending ovulation in women and raises the intriguing question of whether women's cycling hormones influence men's attraction and sexual approach behavior. PMID: 22137971 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538802 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538801&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22137972%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hubbard CS, Rose JD Abstract Central administration of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is known to enhance locomotion across a wide range of vertebrates, including the roughskin newt, Taricha granulosa. The present study aimed to identify the CRH effects on locomotor-controlling medullary neurons that underlie the peptide's behavioral stimulating actions. Single neurons were recorded from the rostral medullary reticular formation before and after intraventricular infusion of CRH in freely behaving newts and newts paralyzed with a myoneural blocking agent. In behaving newts, most medullary neurons showed increased firing 3-23min after CRH infusion. Decreases in firing were less common. Of particular importance was the finding that in behaving newts, medullary neurons ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538801 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538804&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22119340%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Welling LL, Puts DA, Roberts SC, Little AC, Burriss RP Abstract Female hormonal contraceptive use has been associated with a variety of physical and psychological side effects. Women who use hormonal contraceptives report more intense affective responses to partner infidelity and greater overall sexual jealousy than women not using hormonal contraceptives. Recently, researchers have found that using hormonal contraceptives with higher levels of synthetic estradiol, but not progestin, is associated with significantly higher levels of self-reported jealousy in women. Here, we extend these findings by examining the relationship between mate retention behavior in heterosexual women and their male partners and women's use of hormonal contraceptives. We find that women using hor... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538804 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538805&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22107911%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: García-Dalmán C, González-Mariscal G Abstract Lactation in rabbits induces anestrus: sexual receptivity and scent-marking (chinning) are reduced despite the brevity of suckling (one daily nursing bout, lasting around 3min). The mechanisms underlying this effect are unknown but, as chinning, lordosis, and ambulation in an open field are immediately inhibited by the peripheral stimulation received during mating we hypothesized that, across lactation, suckling stimulation would provoke a similar effect. To test this possibility we provided litters of 1, 3, 5, or 10 pups across lactation days 1-15 and quantified chinning and ambulation frequencies, the lordosis quotient, and milk output. Baseline chinning frequency, determined before the daily nursing bout, was low across l... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538805 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538809&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22100184%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bosch OJ, Neumann ID Abstract In the mammalian peripartum period, the activity of both the brain oxytocin and vasopressin system is elevated as part of the physiological adaptations occurring in the mother. This is reflected by increased expression and intracerebral release of oxytocin and vasopressin, as well as increased neuropeptide receptor expression and binding. In this review we discuss the functional role of the brain oxytocin and vasopressin system in the context of maternal behavior, specifically maternal care and maternal aggression in rodents. In order to enable the identification of significant and peptide-specific contributions to the display of maternal behavior, various complementary animal models of maternal care and/or maternal aggression were studied, in... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538809 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538808&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22100185%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pobbe RL, Pearson BL, Defensor EB, Bolivar VJ, Young WS, Lee HJ, Blanchard DC, Blanchard RJ Abstract A wealth of studies has implicated oxytocin (Oxt) and its receptors (Oxtr) in the mediation of social behaviors and social memory in rodents. It has been suggested that failures in this system contribute to deficits in social interaction that characterize autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In the current analyses, we investigated the expression of autism-related behaviors in mice that lack the ability to synthesize the oxytocin receptor itself, Oxtr knockout (KO) mice, as compared to their wild-type (WT) littermates. In the visible burrow system, Oxtr KO mice showed robust reductions in frontal approach, huddling, allo-grooming, and flight, with more time spent alone, and in ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538808 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538807&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22101260%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gleason ED, Holschbach MA, Marler CA Abstract Female assessment of male attractiveness and how preferred qualities impact reproductive success is central to the study of mate choice. Male attractiveness may depend on traits beneficial to the reproductive success (RS) of any female, termed 'universal quality', and/or on behavioral and biological interactions between potential mates that reflect 'compatibility'. The steroid hormone testosterone (T) often underlies male attractiveness in rodents and is associated with enhanced paternal care in the monogamous and biparental California mouse (Peromyscus californicus). We hypothesized that (1) T-characteristics are universally attractive to female California mice and that (2) if reproductive success is higher for females mated w... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538807 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538803&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22134008%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Weathington JM, Arnold AR, Cooke BM Abstract Child abuse is the most significant environmental risk factor for the development of mood disorders, which occur twice as frequently in women as in men. To determine whether juvenile social subjugation (JSS) of rats induces mood disorder-like symptoms, we exposed 28day-old male and female rats to daily aggressive acts from aggressive male residents. Each rat received pins, kicks, and dominance postures from the resident for 10min per day for 10days. When the rats were adults, we tested their anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. In addition, we measured circulating basal and stress-evoked corticosterone (CORT) levels, and weighed the adrenal glands. Although the amount of JSS was indistinguishable between males and females, fe... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538803 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5538806&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22107910%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Borrow AP, Cameron NM Abstract The hormone oxytocin (OT) is released both centrally and peripherally during and after mating. Although research in humans suggests a central role in sexuality, the most reliable findings to date involve peripheral activation. This review will discuss these results and will particularly focus on understanding the most recent findings from fMRI data and the effects of exogenous peripheral OT administration. We will then consider hypotheses of the roles played by central and systemic OT release as well as their control and modulation in the female, summarizing recent findings from animal research. Finally, we will discuss the contribution of OT to the initiation of pregnancy in rodents. PMID: 22107910 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (So... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5538806 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5538806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5428093&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22079778%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Albers HE Abstract Neuropeptides in the arginine vasotocin/arginine vasopressin (AVT/AVP) family play a major role in the regulation of social behavior by their actions in the brain. In mammals, AVP is found within a circuit of recriprocally connected limbic structures that form the social behavior neural network. This review examines the role played by AVP within this network in controlling social processes that are critical for the formation and maintenance of social relationships: social recognition, social communication and aggression. Studies in a number of mammalian species indicate that AVP and AVP V1a receptors are ideally suited to regulate the expression of social processes because of their plasticity in response to factors that influence social behavior. The pat... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5428093 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5428093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5428096&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22057031%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Robinson S, Penatti CA, Clark AS Abstract Humans self-administer anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) at superphysiological doses for the purpose of building muscle mass and enhancing physique whereas considerably lower doses of AAS are prescribed in the clinic to treat a variety of disorders. A number of studies have demonstrated that individual AAS influence aggressive behavior in rats and mice, but few studies have examined the aggression-enhancing effects of combinations of AAS. Using the resident-intruder paradigm, Experiment 1 determined whether a cocktail of commonly abused AAS increased aggressive behavior in gonadally-intact male C57BL/6J mice and examined whether the androgen receptor (AR) was involved. Mice given either AAS cocktail or the cocktail and the AR anta... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5428096 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5428096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5428095&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22067260%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Espinosa-Raya J, Neri-Gómez T, Orozco-Suárez S, Campos MG, Guerra-Araiza C Abstract Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be prescribed to prevent the symptoms of menopause. This therapy may include estrogenic and/or progestin components and may increase the incidence of endometrial and breast cancers. Tibolone (TIB), which is also made up of estrogen and progestin components, is often used to reduce the impact of HRT. However, the effect of TIB on the processes of learning, memory and anxiety has yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect on learning, memory processes and anxiety in ovariectomized rats caused by different doses of TIB (0mg/kg, 0.01mg/kg, 0.1mg/kg 1.0mg/kg and 10mg/kg, administered daily via the oral route for ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5428095 Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5428095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5428094&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22067261%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we assessed the roles of photoperiod and diet salinity, as signals for reproduction. We challenged desert adapted common spiny mice, Acomys cahirinus, males and females with osmotic stress, by gradually increasing salinity in their water source - from 0.9% to 5% NaCl under short and long days (SD and LD, respectively). Photoperiodicity affected testosterone levels, as under LD-acclimation, levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher than under SD-acclimation. Salinity treatment (ST) significantly reduced SD-acclimated male body mass (W(b)) and testis mass (p<0.005; normalized to W(b)). ST-LD-females significantly (p<0.005) decreased progesterone levels and the numbers of estrous cycles. A reduction in white adipose tissue (WAT) to an undetectable level was noted in ST... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5428094 Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5428094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5383362&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22047777%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Neese SL, Schantz SL Abstract The current study examined the effects of gonadectomy (GDX) and subsequent testosterone treatment of male Long-Evans rats on an operant variable delay spatial alternation task (DSA). Gonadally-intact rats (intact-B), GDX rats receiving implants that delivered a physiological level of testosterone (GDX-T), and GDX rats receiving blank implants (GDX-B) were tested for 25 sessions on a DSA task with variable inter-trial delays ranging from 0 to 18s. Acquisition of the DSA task was found to be enhanced following GDX in a time and delay dependent manner. Both the GDX-T and the intact-B rats had lower performance accuracies across delays initially, relative to GDX-B rats, and this deficit persisted into subsequent testing sessions at longer delays. ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5383362 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5383362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5383364&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22033278%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Veenema AH, Bredewold R, De Vries GJ Abstract In adult male rats, vasopressin (AVP) facilitates social recognition via activation of V1a receptors within the lateral septum. Much less is known about how AVP affects social recognition in adult females or in juvenile animals of either sex. We found that administration of the specific V1a receptor antagonist (CH(2))(5)Tyr(Me)AVP into the lateral septum of adult rats impaired, whereas AVP extended, social discrimination in both sexes. In juveniles, however, we detected a sex difference, such that males but not females showed social discrimination. Interestingly, administration of the V1a receptor antagonist to juveniles (either intracerebroventricularly or locally in the lateral septum) did not prevent social discrimination, b... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5383364 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5383364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5383363&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22033279%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Byrnes EM, Casey K, Bridges RS Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that prior reproductive experience can influence anxiety-like behaviors, although neural mechanisms underlying this shift remain unknown. Studies in virgin females suggest that activation of the two estrogen receptor subtypes, ERα and ERβ, have differing effects on anxiety. Specifically, ERβ activation has been shown to reduce anxiety-like behaviors, while ERα activation has no significant effect. The purpose of the present study was to examine the possible roles of ERα and ERβ subtypes in parity-induced alterations in anxiety-like behavior, as tested on the elevated plus maze (EPM). Groups of ovariectomized, age-matched, nulliparous and primiparous females were tested on the EPM following adm... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5383363 Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5383363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5383366&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22001872%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: van Anders SM, Tolman RM, Volling BL Abstract Testosterone (T) is generally theorized within a trade-off framework that contrasts parenting and low T with competitive challenges and high T. Paradoxically, baby cues increase T, prompting questions of whether T or its behavioral expression has been mischaracterized. We tested 55 men using a novel interactive infant doll paradigm, and results supported our hypotheses: We showed for the first time that baby cries do decrease T in men, but only when coupled with nurturant responses. In contrast, baby cries uncoupled from nurturant responses increased T. These findings highlight the need to partition infant cues and interactions into nurturant versus competitive-related contexts to more accurately conceptualize T, as per the Ste... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5383366 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5383366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5383365&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22001873%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ros AF, Vullioud P, Bshary R Abstract Cooperation often involves a conflict of interest. This is particularly true in situations where one individual seeks out a service but cannot properly control the quality of the service given by the partner who would gain from defecting. An example is cleaning mutualism involving the bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) and its reef-fish 'clients'. These cleaners may reduce the stress experienced by their clients by removing parasites; however they occasionally cheat clients (i.e. defect) by eating mucus and other living tissues. Here we present experimental support for the hypothesis that stress responses increase the motivation for clients to seek out such risky asymmetric interactions. We manipulated the stress response... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5383365 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5383365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5317242&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21983226%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mangold D, Mintz J, Javors M, Marino E Abstract Neuroticism is associated with greater susceptibility to the adverse effects of stress and greater exposure to the stressors associated with acculturation in U.S. born Mexican Americans. Neuroticism and acculturation have been associated with injury to crucial stress response systems and are known risk factors for certain mood and anxiety disorders. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of neuroticism, and acculturation on the cortisol awakening response (CAR) in healthy Mexican-American adults. Salivary cortisol samples were collected at awakening and 30, 45, and 60min thereafter, on two consecutive weekdays from 59 healthy Mexican American adult males (26) and females (33), ages 18 to 38years. Particip... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5317242 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5317242 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5317241&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21983227%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aberg Andersson M, Silva PI, Steffensen JF, Höglund E Abstract Maternal size, age, and allostatic load influence offspring size, development, and survival. Some of these effects have been attributed to the release of glucocorticoids, and individual variation in these stress hormones is related to a number of traits. Correlated traits are often clustered and used to define the proactive and reactive stress coping styles. Although stress coping styles have been identified in a number of animal groups, little is known about the coupling between stress coping style and offspring characteristics. In the present study, plasma cortisol levels in ovulated mothers and cortisol levels in non-fertilized eggs from two rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) strains selected for high (HR)... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5317241 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5317241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5317240&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21983228%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ręk P, Osiejuk TS, Budka M Abstract We combined playback experiments with hormonal manipulations to study the information content of acoustic signals during aggressive interactions between male corncrakes. During territorial conflicts, fights are uncommon, but the intensity of signaling usually increases. Such signals can be temporally and contextually associated with many aggressive behaviors and most likely function as threats or as indicators of the sender's quality or motivation. However, such correlational data are unsatisfactory for the proper interpretation of the function and information content of signals. Experimental tests are required to determine whether signals and aggressive behaviors are controlled by common or independent mechanisms. In our experiment, we... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5317240 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5317240 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5317239&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21983229%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wood RI, Stanton SJ Abstract Testosterone and other anabolic-androgenic steroids enhance athletic performance in men and women. As a result, exogenous androgen is banned from most competitive sports. However, due to variability in endogenous secretion, and similarities with exogenous testosterone, it has been challenging to establish allowable limits for testosterone in competition. Endogenous androgen production is dynamically regulated by both exercise and winning in competition. Furthermore, testosterone may promote athletic performance, not only through its long-term anabolic actions, but also through rapid effects on behavior. In women, excess production of endogenous testosterone due to inborn disorders of sexual development (DSD) may convey a competitive advantage. ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5317239 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5317239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5317238&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21983230%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lürzel S, Kaiser S, Krüger C, Sachser N Abstract The maturation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a key-component of the changes that occur during adolescence. In guinea pigs, HPA responsiveness during late adolescence depends strongly on the quantity and quality of social interactions: Males that lived in a large mixed-sex colony over the course of adolescence exhibit a lower stress response than males that were kept in pairs (one male/one female). Since colony-housed males have higher testosterone (T) levels than pair-housed males, and inhibiting effects of T on HPA function are well known, we tested the hypothesis that the decrease in stress responsiveness found in colony-housed males is due to their high T concentrations. We manipulated T levels in t... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5317238 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5317238 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5317235&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21983238%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, different video clips were associated with different changes in salivary free hormone concentrations and the relative changes in testosterone closely mapped 3RM squat performance in a group of highly trained males. Thus, speculatively, using short video presentations in the pre-workout environment offers an opportunity for understanding the outcomes of hormonal change, athlete behaviour and subsequent voluntary performance. PMID: 21983238 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5317235 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5317235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5317237&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21983236%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we presented these adolescent faces to 60 female raters to determine which facial features most reliably predicted subjective sex identification. Identification accuracy correlated highly with specific MRI-derived facial features (e.g. broader forehead, chin, jaw, and nose). Facial features that most reliably cued male identity were associated with plasma levels of testosterone (above and beyond age). Perceptible sex differences in face shape are thus associated with specific facial features whose emergence may be, in part, driven by testosterone. PMID: 21983236 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5317237 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5317237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5317236&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21983237%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Law Smith MJ, Deady DK, Moore FR, Jones BC, Cornwell RE, Stirrat M, Lawson JF, Feinberg DR, Perrett DI Abstract Previous studies have shown that women with higher maternal tendencies are shorter and have lower testosterone levels than those with lower maternal tendencies. Here we report two studies that investigated the relationships between maternal tendencies and two further measures of physical masculinization/feminization; urinary estrogen metabolite (estrone-3-glucuronide: E1-3G) levels (Study 1) and rated facial femininity (Study 2). In Study 1, nulliparous women reported both their ideal number of children and ideal own age at first child and also provided urine samples. There was a significant positive correlation between measured late-follicular estrogen levels an... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5317236 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5317236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5284199&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21968215%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schradin C, Yuen CH Abstract Alternative reproductive tactics occur when individuals of the same species follow alternative ways to maximize reproductive success. Often younger and smaller males follow tactics that result in lower fitness than that of dominant larger males. The relative plasticity hypothesis predicts that hormone levels change as males change tactics, but direct tests of this hypothesis are missing. It has been demonstrated in a number of studies that males following different tactics also differ in hormone levels (unpaired data), but not that individual males change their hormone levels as they change tactic (paired data). We compared hormone levels in the same individuals before and after they changed their tactic, using field samples collected over a pe... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5284199 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5284199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5284200&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21964046%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Afonso VM, King SJ, Novakov M, Burton CL, Fleming AS Abstract Postpartum rats that had been previously raised in an artificial rearing (AR) apparatus, without their mothers or siblings during the preweaning period, show altered maternal responses towards their own offspring in adulthood. In mother-reared (MR) rats, nucleus accumbens (NAC) dopamine (DA) responses to pups evoke a robust sustained rise during the postpartum period and following treatment with estrogen/progesterone parturient-like hormones (Afonso et al., 2009). These MR females had siblings that received AR rearing with varying amounts of preweaning tactile stimulation (ARmin; ARmax). The present study examined NACshell DA responses to pup and food stimuli in these AR rats, and statistically compared them to ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5284200 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5284200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5268571&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21945150%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: von der Goltz C, Koopmann A, Dinter C, Richter A, Grosshans M, Fink T, Wiedemann K, Kiefer F Abstract There is growing evidence from preclinical studies for an involvement of orexins (ORX) in the regulation of stress, affectivity and addictive behavior. The aim of our study was to gather corresponding clinical data and to elucidate the relationships between alcohol withdrawal stress, ORX plasma concentration and psychopathology. A consecutive sample of thirty-four alcohol-dependent inpatients was included in the study. Blood was drawn at onset of withdrawal and following 2weeks of controlled abstinence in order to assess ORX, ACTH and cortisol plasma concentrations. In parallel, we assessed clinically relevant psychological distress symptoms applying the Brief Symptom Inve... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5268571 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5268571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5268573&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21939660%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Harris BN, Perea-Rodriguez JP, Saltzman W Abstract Glucocorticoids are thought to mediate the disruption of parental behavior in response to acute and chronic stress. Previous research supports their role in chronic stress; however, no study has experimentally tested the effects of acute glucocorticoid elevation on paternal behavior. We tested the prediction that acute corticosterone (CORT) increases would decrease paternal behavior in California mouse fathers and would lead to longer-term effects on reproductive success, as even short-term increases in CORT have been shown to produce lasting effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. First-time fathers were injected with 30mg/kg CORT, 60mg/kg CORT or vehicle, or left unmanipulated. Interactions between the male a... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5268573 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5268573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5268572&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21944946%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cuddy M, Aubin-Horth N, Krahe R Abstract Androgens are known to be involved in reproductive behaviours including courtship and aggression. According to the Challenge Hypothesis, androgen activity upregulates male reproductive behaviour seasonally and also modulates short term adaptation of these behaviours in response to social context. In the weakly electric fish, Apteronotus leptorhynchus, 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) has been previously implicated in the regulation of electrocommunication behaviours that are believed to have roles in both aggression and courtship. Changes in male 11-KT levels were quantified using a non-invasive measurement technique alongside changes in electrocommunication behaviour following environmental cues that simulated the onset of the breeding ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5268572 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5268572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5268574&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21930131%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Monclús R, Tiulim J, Blumstein DT Abstract When the maternal environment is a good predictor of the offspring environment, maternal glucocorticoid (GC) levels might serve to pre-program offspring to express certain phenotypes or life-history characteristics that will increase their fitness. We conducted a field study to assess the effects of naturally occurring maternal GC levels on their offspring in yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) subjected to different predator pressures. Maternal fecal corticosteroid metabolites (FCM) were positively correlated with predator pressure. Predators had both direct and indirect effects on pups. We found that older mothers with higher FCM levels had smaller and female-biased litters. Moreover, sons from older mothers with high... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5268574 Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5268574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5235153&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21925504%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Martinez LA, Petrulis A Abstract Successful reproduction in vertebrates depends critically upon a suite of precopulatory behaviors that occur prior to mating. In Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), these behaviors include vaginal scent marking and preferential investigation of male odors. The neural regulation of vaginal marking and opposite-sex odor preference likely involves an interconnected set of steroid-sensitive nuclei that includes the medial amygdala (MA), the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and the medial preoptic area (MPOA). For example, lesions of MA eliminate opposite-sex odor preference and reduce overall levels of vaginal marking, whereas lesions of MPOA decrease vaginal marking in response to male odors. Although BNST is densely interconnec... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5235153 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5235153 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5235154&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21920363%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cyrenne DL, Brown GR Abstract Human adolescents exhibit higher levels of novelty-seeking behaviour than younger or older individuals, and novelty-seeking is higher in males than females from adolescence onwards. Gonadal hormones, such as testosterone and estradiol, have been suggested to underlie age and sex difference in response to novelty; however, empirical evidence in support of this hypothesis is limited. Here, we investigated whether suppressing gonadal hormone levels during adolescence affects response to novelty in laboratory rats. Previously, we have shown that male adolescent Lister-hooded rats (postnatal day, pnd, 40) exhibit a stronger preference than same-aged females for a novel object compared to a familiar object. In the current study, 24 male and 24 femal... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5235154 Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5235154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5221609&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21907201%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, while CMS had minimal effects on HPA function, there were significant long-term sex-specific effects on behavior. EE did not reverse the effects observed as a result of CMS, but rather modified HPA function and behavior independently of CMS. Further, there was significant interaction of CMS with EE that resulted in elevation of basal HPA function in female offspring. These data combined with previous studies from our laboratory suggest that acute phases of maternal stress in late pregnancy may have greater long-term effects on HPA function and related behaviors than prolonged chronic maternal stress. PMID: 21907201 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5221609 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5221609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5221608&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21907202%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Trainor BC Abstract Organisms react to threats with a variety of behavioral, hormonal, and neurobiological responses. The study of biological responses to stress has historically focused on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, but other systems such as the mesolimbic dopamine system are involved. Behavioral neuroendocrinologists have long recognized the importance of the mesolimbic dopamine system in mediating the effects of hormones on species specific behavior, especially aspects of reproductive behavior. There has been less focus on the role of this system in the context of stress, perhaps due to extensive data outlining its importance in reward or approach-based contexts. However, there is steadily growing evidence that the mesolimbic dopamine neurons have critical... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5221608 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5221608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5221607&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21907203%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Heimovics SA, Salvante KG, Sockman KW, Riters LV Abstract Individuals display dramatic differences in social communication even within similar social contexts. Across vertebrates dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and midbrain central gray (GCt) strongly influence motivated, reward-directed behaviors. Norepinephrine is also rich in these areas and may alter dopamine neuronal activity. The present study was designed to provide insight into the roles of dopamine and norepinephrine in VTA and GCt and their efferent striatal target, song control region area X, in the regulation of individual differences in the motivation to sing. We used high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection to measure dopamine, norepinephrine and their ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5221607 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5221607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5221606&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21907204%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cunningham RL, Macheda T, Watts LT, Poteet E, Singh M, Roberts JL, Giuffrida A Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopamine neuron loss in the nigrostriatal pathway that shows greater incidence in men than women. The mechanisms underlying this gender bias remain elusive, although one possibility is that androgens may increase dopamine neuronal vulnerability to oxidative stress. Motor impairment can be modeled in rats receiving a unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a neurotoxin producing nigrostriatal degeneration. To investigate the role of androgens in PD, we compared young (2months) and aged (24months) male rats receiving gonadectomy (GDX) and their corresponding intact controls. One month after G... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5221606 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5221606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5221613&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21889939%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gettler LT, McDade TW, Agustin SS, Kuzawa CW Abstract Hormonal differences between fathers and non-fathers may reflect an effect of paternal care on hormones. However, few studies have evaluated the hormonal responses of fathers after interacting with their offspring. Here we report results of a 30-minute in-home experiment in which Filipino fathers played with their toddlers (n=42, age: 2.6±0.8years) and consider whether paternal experience and men's perceptions of themselves as fathers affect hormonal changes. Fathers provided saliva and dried blood spot samples at baseline (B) and 30 (P30) and 60 (P60, saliva only) minutes after the interaction. We tested whether testosterone (T), cortisol (CORT), and prolactin (PRL) shifted after the intervention. In the total sample,... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5221613 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5221613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5221612&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21889940%26dopt%3DAbstract This study tested whether galanthamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat memory impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease, could enhance or restore estradiol effects on cognitive performance in aged rats that had been ovariectomized in middle-age. Rats were ovariectomized at 16-17months of age. At 21-22months of age rats began receiving daily injections of galanthamine (5mg/day) or vehicle. After one week, half of each group also received 17ß-estradiol administered subcutaneously. Rats were then trained on a delayed matching to position (DMP) T-maze task, followed by an operant stimulus discrimination/reversal learning task. Treatment with galanthamine+estradiol significantly enhanced the rate of DMP acquisition and improved short-term delay-dependent spatial memory performan... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5221612 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5221612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5221610&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21893061%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tapp A, Maybery MT, Whitehouse AJ Abstract In this paper we review the evidence that fetuses gestated with a male co-twin are masculinized in development, perhaps due to the influence of prenatal androgens: the so-called twin testosterone transfer (TTT) hypothesis. Evidence from studies of behavioral, perceptual, cognitive, morphological and physiological traits in same- and opposite-sex human twins is considered. Apart from two studies reporting increases in aspects of sensation-seeking for females with a male rather than a female co-twin, there is sparse evidence supporting the TTT hypothesis in behavioral studies. Outcomes from studies of perception (in particular otoacoustic emissions) and cognition (in particular vocabulary acquisition and visuo-spatial ability) provi... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5221610 Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5221610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5221611&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21889941%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McEown K, Treit D Abstract Corticosterone is released from the adrenal cortex in response to stress, and binds to glucocorticosteroid receptors (GRs) and mineralocorticosteroid receptors (MRs) in the brain. Areas such as the dorsal hippocampus (DH), ventral hippocampus (VH) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) all contain MRs and have been previously implicated in fear and/or memory. The purpose of the following experiments was to examine the role of these distinct populations of MRs in rats' unconditioned fear and fear memory. The MR antagonist (RU28318) was microinfused into the DH, VH, or mPFC of rats. Ten minutes later, their unconditioned fear was tested in the elevated plus-maze and the shock-probe tests, two behavioral models of rat "anxiety." Twenty-four hours later... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5221611 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5221611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5180391&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21872601%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: King SJ, Isaacs AM, O'Farrell E, Abizaid A Abstract Ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide that acts within the central nervous system to stimulate appetite and food intake via the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). It has been hypothesized that ghrelin modulates food intake in part by stimulating reward pathways in the brain and potentially stimulating the intake of palatable foods. Here we examined the effects of chronic ghrelin administration in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) via osmotic minipumps on 1) ad libitum food intake and bodyweight; 2) macronutrient preference; and 3) motivation to obtain chocolate pellets. In the first study rats receiving ghrelin into the VTA showed a dose-dependent increase in the intake of regular chow, also resulting in increased bo... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5180391 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5180391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5180390&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21872602%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined whether free-living male black redstarts (Phoenicurus ochruros) show changes in androgens, corticosterone and behavior following repeated STIs of high or low intensity and in contrast to being challenged only once. Repeated intrusions had no influence on androgen and corticosterone levels regardless of intrusion intensity. In contrast, the behavioral response changed over days depending on the intensity of the intrusion. Only birds challenged with high-level intruders approached the decoy significantly faster during the third intrusion than during the first one, stayed closer to the decoy, and sang more songs than males challenged with low-level intruders. Thus, although black redstarts reacted differently to STIs varying in frequency and intensity, these behavioral differences... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5180390 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5180390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5180394&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21872598%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, steroid facilitation of lordosis inhibits ARH β-END neurons to deactivate MPN MOP, but estradiol-only and estradiol+progesterone treatment appear to use different neurotransmitter systems to inhibit ARH-MPN signaling. PMID: 21872598 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5180394 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5180394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5180393&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21872599%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kojima S, Alberts JR Abstract The present study was designed to examine possible roles of oxytocin (OT) in the acquisition of a filial huddling preference in preweanling rats. We used a procedure in which a scented, foster mother can induce an odor-guided huddling preference in preweanling pups, following a single, 2-h-long co-habitation (Kojima and Alberts, 2009, 2011). This single, discrete period for preference learning enables us to observe the mother-pup interactions that establish the pups' preferences and to intervene with experimental manipulations. Four, 14-day-old littermates interacted with a scented foster mother that provided maternal care during a 2-h session. Two of the pups were pretreated with an intracerebroventricular injection of OT or an oxytocin antag... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5180393 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5180393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5180392&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21872600%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ouyang JQ, Hau M, Bonier F Abstract Hormones play a central role in integrating internal and external cues to help mediate life-history decisions as well as changes in behavior and physiology of individuals. Describing the consistency of endocrine traits within and among individuals is an important step for understanding whether hormonal traits are dependable predictors of phenotypes that selection could act upon. However, few long-term field studies have investigated the individual consistency of hormonal traits. Glucocorticoid hormones mediate homeostatic responses to environmental variation as well as stress responses to acute, unpredictable disturbances. We characterized the repeatability of plasma corticosterone concentrations in two species of free-living passerines ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5180392 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5180392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142802&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21851821%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Keebaugh AC, Young LJ Abstract Oxytocin receptors (OXTR) in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) promote alloparental behavior and partner preference formation in female prairie voles. Within the NAcc there is significant individual variation in OXTR binding and virgin juvenile and adult females with a high density of OXTR in the NAcc display an elevated propensity to engage in alloparental behavior toward novel pups. Over-expression of OXTR in the NAcc of adult female prairie voles using viral vector gene transfer facilitates partner preference formation, but has no effect on alloparental behavior, even though OXTR antagonists infused into the NAcc blocks both behaviors. We therefore hypothesized that long-term increases in OXTR signaling during development may underlie the relat... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142802 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142801&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21851822%26dopt%3DAbstract This study is the first to investigate hippocampal changes in the context of short-day induced immobility and may be relevant for understanding psychological disorders with a seasonal component. PMID: 21851822 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142801 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142804&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21843525%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dorius C, Booth A, Hibel J, Granger DA, Johnson D Abstract We examine the link between parental testosterone and children's perceptions of their relationship with their mother and father. Using data from 352 predominantly white working and middle class families, we find no direct link between mother's and father's testosterone and parent-child closeness. However, the association between mothers' testosterone and mother-child closeness appears to be influenced by the quality of two other family relationships. When father's marital satisfaction is low, mothers with high testosterone have a poorer relationship with their children. And, when fathers report low levels of intimacy with their children, high testosterone women have a poorer relationship with their children. No com... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142804 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142803&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21846470%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Longpre KM, Koepfinger ME, Katz LS Abstract Due to the differential cost of reproduction in promiscuous species, like domesticated goat(s) (Capra hircus), it is expected that females should mate with higher quality males, while males should mate with a greater number of females. Females may use conspicuous secondary sexual characteristics of males such as courtship display to distinguish among high and low quality males. Testosterone (T) controls a large suite of secondary sexual characteristics and variation in T concentrations may account of differences in courtship rates. Two studies were conducted to examine the relationship between T concentrations and courtship rate and its role in mammalian female mate choice. Experiment 1 utilized bucks (intact males) and Experimen... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142803 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5142805&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21839080%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cook KV, McConnachie SH, Gilmour KM, Hinch SG, Cooke SJ Abstract Semelparous Pacific salmon (Onchorynchus spp.) serve as an excellent model for examining the relationships between life history, behavior and individual variation in glucocorticoid (GC) stress hormone levels because reproductive behaviors are highly variable between individuals and failure to reproduce results in zero fitness. Pink salmon (O. gorbuscha) were intercepted upon arrival at the spawning grounds across three time periods. Pre-stress and stress-induced plasma cortisol concentrations were assessed in relation to behavior, longevity and reproductive success. Results revealed differences between sexes and with arrival time. The study period marked a year of high reproductive success and only nine femal... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5142805 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5142805 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112007&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21824475%26dopt%3DAbstract This study is the first to report an increase in the basal levels of an invertebrate stress hormone in response to repeated flight-or-fight stress. Chronic stress reduced weight gain, and decreased feeding and enhanced weight loss after food deprivation in adult female crickets. However, chronic stress also increased the tendency of crickets to produce sustained flight. Therefore, this study supports the hypothesis that increasing basal levels of stress hormones may be a phylogenetically common response to chronically stressful conditions. It also demonstrates that chronic stress has both positive and negative effects in insects. PMID: 21824475 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112007 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112009&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21821035%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fernández IG, Luna-Orozco JR, Vielma J, Duarte G, Hernández H, Flores JA, Gelez H, Delgadillo JA We investigated whether LH secretion, estrous behavior and fertility would differ between sexually inexperienced and experienced anestrous goats exposed to the males. Male goats were rendered sexually active during the reproductive rest season by exposure to 2.5months of artificial long days. Two groups of anovulatory sexually inexperienced and sexually experienced does were exposed to males during 15days (n=20 per group). LH pulsatility was determined every 15min from 4h before to 8h after introducing males (Day 0). Estrous behavior was recorded twice daily. Pregnancy rates were determined on Day 50. Fertility was determined at parturition. Male sexual behavior was registered on... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112009 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112009 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112018&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21820439%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zurkovsky L, Serio SJ, Korol DL Estradiol treatment administered systemically or directly to the dorsolateral striatum across two days impairs performance on a response task in which rats learn to make a specific body turn to locate food on a maze. Estradiol can act through both slow and rapid signaling pathways to regulate learning impairments, however it is impossible to dissociate the slow from the rapid contributions of estradiol following long exposures. To assess the rapid effects of estradiol on striatum-sensitive learning, we trained rats on a response learning task after either relatively short or long treatments of estradiol infused directly into the striatum. Three-month-old female rats were ovariectomized 21days before training and received guide cannulae implanted... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112018 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112012&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21820440%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sandoval-Herrera V, Trujillo-Ferrara JG, Miranda-Páez A, De La Cruz F, Zamudio SR Tonic immobility (TI) is also known as "immobility response", "immobility reflex", "animal hypnosis", etc. It is an innate antipredatory behavior characterized by an absence of movement, varying degrees of muscular activity, and a relative unresponsiveness to external stimuli. Experimentally, TI is commonly produced by manually forcing an animal into an inverted position and restraining it in that position until the animal becomes immobile. Part of the neural mechanism(s) of TI involves the medullo-pontine reticular formation, with influence from other components of the brain, notably the limbic system. It has been observed that TI is more prolonged in stressed animals, and systemic injection of... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112012 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112012 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112033&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21816154%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Brockman R, Bunick D, Mahoney MM Gonadal steroids modify the phase, amplitude and period of circadian rhythms. To further resolve the role of estradiol, we examined daily patterns of activity, circadian free running period and behavioral responses to light pulses using aromatase deficient (ArKO) mice. These animals lack the enzyme necessary to produce estradiol. We hypothesized that circulating estrogens during development and adulthood modulate the amount of activity, the temporal relationship of activity patterns relative to a light:dark cycle, and the free running period. Intact and gonadectomized male and female ArKO and wildtype (WT) littermates were used. WT males, but not ArKO males, retained the ability to respond to steroid hormones; the time of activity onset, free r... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112033 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112031&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21819988%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, our results highlight the central role of androgens in behavioral function in female rats and suggest that androgens directly regulate the AR by decreasing its hypothalamic expression. Androgens also increase leptin synthesis in adipocytes, which drives central leptin signaling, and may regulate anxiety-related behaviors. Elucidating mechanisms by which androgens modulate female anxiety-like behavior may uncover useful approaches for treating women with PCOS who have symptoms of anxiety. PMID: 21819988 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112031 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112031 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112039&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21801726%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zuloaga DG, Poort JE, Jordan CL, Breedlove SM Testosterone influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, anxiety-related behavior, and sensorimotor gating in rodents, but little is known about the role of the androgen receptor (AR) in mediating these influences. We compared levels of the stress hormone corticosterone at baseline and following exposure to a novel object in an open field in wild type (wt) male and female rats, and male rats with the testicular feminization mutation (Tfm) of the AR, which disables its function. Basal corticosterone was equivalent in all groups, but exposure to a novel object in an open field elicited a greater increase in corticosterone in Tfm males and wt females than in wt males. Tfm males also showed increased behavioral indices of anxie... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112039 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112037&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21802421%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gavassa S, Silva AC, Stoddard PK Hormones mediate sexually selected traits including advertisement signals. Hormonal co-regulation links the signal to other hormonally-mediated traits such that the tighter the integration, the more reliable the signal is as a predictor of those other traits. Androgen administration increases the duration of the communication signal pulse in both sexes of the electric fish Brachyhypopomus gauderio. To determine whether the duration of the signal pulse could function as an honest indicator of androgen levels and other androgen-mediated traits, we measured the variation in sex steroids, signal pulse duration, and sexual development throughout the breeding season of B. gauderio in marshes in Uruguay. Although the sexes had different hormone titres... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112037 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112035&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21803045%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Marasco V, Fusani L, Dessì-Fulgheri F, Canoine V In many birds and mammals, male territorial aggression is modulated by elevated circulating concentrations of the steroid hormone testosterone (T) during the breeding season. However, many species are territorial also during the non-breeding season, when plasma T levels are basal. The endocrine control of non-breeding territorial aggression differs considerably between species, and previous studies on wintering birds suggest differences between migratory and resident species. We investigated the endocrine modulation of territorial aggression during the breeding and non-breeding season in a resident population of European stonechats (Saxicola torquata rubicola). We recorded the aggressive response to a simulated territorial intr... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112035 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112045&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21784076%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Newman AE, Soma KK During the nonbreeding season, when gonadal androgen synthesis is basal, recent evidence suggests that neurosteroids regulate the aggression of male song sparrows. In particular, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is rapidly converted in the brain to androgens in response to aggressive interactions. In other species, aggressive encounters increase systemic glucocorticoid levels. However, the relationship between aggression and local steroid levels is not well understood. Here, during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons, we tested the effects of a simulated territorial intrusion (STI) on DHEA and corticosterone levels in the brachial and jugular plasma. Jugular plasma is enriched with neurosteroids and provides an indirect index of brain steroid levels. Further, ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112045 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112043&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21787775%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Heiming RS, Bodden C, Jansen F, Lewejohann L, Kaiser S, Lesch KP, Palme R, Sachser N Adverse early experiences can profoundly influence the adult behavioral profile. When pregnant and lactating mice are confronted with soiled bedding of unfamiliar males (UMB), these stimuli signal the danger of infanticide and thus simulate a "dangerous world". In a previous study, offspring of UMB treated mothers were shown to display increased anxiety-like behavior and reduced exploratory locomotion as adults, compared to mice treated with neutral bedding (NB, "safe environment"). The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms conveying these effects of living in a "dangerous world" to offspring behavior. We hypothesized the mother to be the major link and focused on the influence of ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112043 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112041&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21798262%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we investigated the influence of exposure to eEPM (enclosed EPM: 4 enclosed arms), sEPM or oEPM on plasma corticosterone levels in mice, with or without prior nociceptive stimulation (2.5% formalin injection into the right hind paw). We also tested whether the nociceptive response in the formalin test and oEPM-induced antinociception are altered by adrenalectomy. Results showed that oEPM-exposed mice spent less time licking the injected paw than sEPM- and eEPM-exposed animals. All three types of EPM exposure increased plasma corticosterone when compared to the basal group, but sEPM- and oEPM-exposed mice showed higher corticosterone levels than eEPM-exposed mice. Prior nociceptive stimulation (formalin injection) did not enhance the plasma corticosterone response induced by ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112041 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112046&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21781969%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Macnab V, Scott AP, Katsiadaki I, Barber I Parasites can impact host reproduction by interfering with host endocrine systems, but the adaptive nature of such effects is disputed. Schistocephalus solidus plerocercoids are parasites of three-spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus that are often associated with impaired host reproduction. Here, we relate reproductive behavior and physiology to levels of the androgen 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) in naturally infected and non-infected male sticklebacks from two UK populations. In one population infected males harbored heavy infections and showed uniformly reduced 11KT titres and kidney spiggin (nesting glue protein) content compared to non-infected fish. However in a second population infection levels were more variable and males... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112046 Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112046 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112049&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21763694%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Spée M, Marchal L, Lazin D, Le Maho Y, Chastel O, Beaulieu M, Raclot T Breeding individuals enter an emergency life-history stage when their body reserves reach a minimum threshold. Consequently, they redirect current activity toward survival, leading to egg abandonment in birds. Corticosterone (CORT) is known to promote this stage. How and to what extent CORT triggers egg abandonment when breeding is associated with prolonged fasting, however, requires further investigation. We manipulated free-living male Adélie penguins with CORT-pellets before their laying period. We then examined their behavioral response with respect to nest abandonment in parallel with their prolactin levels (regulating parental care), and the subsequent effects of treatment on breeding success in rel... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112049 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112048&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21767539%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Storey AE, Noseworthy DE, Delahunty KM, Halfyard SJ, McKay DW We tested first-time fathers with their 22-month old toddlers to determine whether social context variables such as pre-test absence from the child and presence of the mother affected physiological measures associated with paternal responsiveness. Heart rate and blood pressure readings as well as blood samples to determine prolactin, testosterone and cortisol levels were taken before and after the 30-min father-toddler interactions. Fathers were tested on a day when they were away from their child for several hours before testing ('without-child' day) and on another day where they remained with their child throughout the day ('with-child' day). Most measures decreased over the 30-min test period but relative decreas... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112048 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5112047&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21777588%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ebensperger LA, Ramírez-Estrada J, León C, Castro RA, Tolhuysen LO, Sobrero R, Quirici V, Burger JR, Soto-Gamboa M, Hayes LD While ecological causes of sociality (or group living) have been identified, proximate mechanisms remain less clear. Recently, close connections between sociality, glucocorticoid hormones (cort) and fitness have been hypothesized. In particular, cort levels would reflect a balance between fitness benefits and costs of group living, and therefore baseline cort levels would vary with sociality in a way opposite to the covariation between sociality and fitness. However, since reproductive effort may become a major determinant of stress responses (i.e., the cort-adaptation hypothesis), cort levels might also be expected to vary with sociality in a way simi... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5112047 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5112047 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5019370&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21741977%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Thayananuphat A, Youngren OM, Kang SW, Bakken T, Kosonsiriluk S, Chaiseha Y, El Halawani ME We investigated the neuroendocrine changes involved in the transition from incubating eggs to brooding of the young in turkeys. Numbers of mesotocin (MT; the avian analog of mammalian oxytocin) immunoreactive (ir) neurons were higher in the nucleus paraventricularis magnocellularis (PVN) and nucleus supraopticus, pars ventralis (SOv) of late stage incubating hens compared to the layers. When incubating and laying hens were presented with poults, all incubating hens displayed brooding behavior. c-fos mRNA expression was found in several brain areas in brooding hens. The majority of c-fos mRNA expression by MT-ir neurons was observed in the PVN and SOv while the majority of c-fos mRNA exp... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5019370 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5019370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5019371&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21741382%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Papargiris MM, Rivalland ET, Hemsworth PH, Morrissey AD, Tilbrook AJ Stress-like levels of cortisol inhibit sexual receptivity in ewes but the mechanism of this action is not understood. One possibility is that cortisol interferes with the actions of oestradiol to induce sexual receptivity. We tested this hypothesis in 2 experiments with ovariectomised ewes that were artificially induced into oestrus by 12days of i.m. injections of progesterone followed by an i.m. injection of oestradiol benzoate (ODB) 48h later. In Experiment 1, ewes were randomly allocated to the following groups: saline infusion+25μg ODB, saline infusion+50μg ODB, cortisol infusion+25μg ODB or cortisol infusion+50μg ODB (n=5 per group). Saline or cortisol was infused i.v. for 40h beginning at the ODB in... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5019371 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5019371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5019376&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21712041%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Corona R, Camacho FJ, García-Horsman P, Guerrero A, Ogando A, Paredes RG The ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone are required for the complete display of sexual behavior in female rats. Paced mating produces a reward state in intact cycling and ovariectomized (OVX), hormonally primed females as evaluated by the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Most of the studies that have evaluated CPP induced by paced mating in OVX females have used relatively high doses of estradiol benzoate (EB). In the present study we determined if different doses of EB, combined with progesterone (P), could induce CPP after paced mating. For this purpose OVX female rats were divided in five groups that received one of different doses of estradiol benzoate (5, 2.5, 1.25 or 0.625μg es... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5019376 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5019376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5019372&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21723867%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Miguel TT, Nunes-de-Souza RL Chemical or electrical stimulation of the dorsal portion of the midbrain periaqueductal gray (dPAG) produces anxiogenic and antinociceptive effects. In rats, chemical stimulation of dPAG by local infusion of the neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) provokes anxiogenic effects in the elevated plus-maze test (EPM). CRF also produces antinociception when injected intracerebroventricularly in rats, however it remains unclear whether this response is also observed following CRF injection into the dPAG in mice. Yet, given that there are CRF1 and CRF2 receptor subtypes within the PAG, it is important to show in which receptor subtypes CRF exert its anxiogenic and antinociceptive effects in the dPAG. Here, we investigated the role of these rec... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5019372 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5019372 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5019375&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21722642%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Simmons ZL, Roney JR An expanding body of research suggests that circulating androgens regulate the allocation of energy between mating and survival effort in human males, with higher androgen levels promoting greater investment in mating effort. Because variations in the number of CAG codon repeats in the human androgen receptor (AR) gene appear to modulate the phenotypic effects of androgens - with shorter repeat lengths associated with greater androgenic effects per unit androgen - polymorphisms in this gene may predict trait-like individual differences in the degree to which men are calibrated toward greater mating effort. Consistent with this, men in the present study with shorter CAG repeat lengths exhibited greater upper body strength and scored higher on self-report me... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5019375 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5019375 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5019374&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21722643%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Olesen KM, Ismail N, Merchasin ED, Blaustein JD Recent reports indicate that exposure to some stressors, such as shipping or immune challenge with the bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), during the peripubertal period reduces sexual receptivity in response to ovarian hormones in adulthood. We hypothesized that a peripubertal immune challenge would also disrupt the response of a non-reproductive behavior, anxiety-like behavior, to ovarian hormones in adulthood. Female C57Bl/6 mice were injected with LPS during the peripubertal period and tested for anxiety-like behavior in adulthood, following ovariectomy and ovarian hormone treatment. Treatment with estradiol followed by progesterone reduced anxiety-like behavior in control, but not LPS-treated females. We next dete... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5019374 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5019374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5019373&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21722644%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated whether differential patterns of cortisol secretion might partially mediate perceived stress related disparities in common health complaints in young, otherwise healthy individuals. To capture the kinds of health complaints commonly reported in this population, the Pennebaker Inventory of Limbic Languidness (PILL) was selected. To capture important parameters of the diurnal profile, cortisol was sampled at waking, 30minutes post waking, 1200h and 2200h on three consecutive weekdays. Results revealed flatter diurnal cortisol slopes and elevated mean diurnal output (characterised by HPA hyperactivity in the evening) for participants in the higher stress group. Participants that reported higher perceived levels of stress also reported experiencing common health complai... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5019373 Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5019373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5019377&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21704627%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Banerjee SB, Adkins-Regan E Zebra finches are a highly social and monogamous avian species. In the present study, we sought to determine the effect of social isolation (separation from the flock) in a novel environment with and without a conspecific present on the adrenocortical activity of paired and unpaired individuals of this species. With regard to paired birds, we hypothesized that the presence of the mate during isolation from the group would act as a social buffer against the stressful effects of isolation. We observed that 10 but not 30minutes of social isolation resulted in elevated concentrations of corticosterone in unpaired and paired male zebra finches in comparison to baseline concentrations of corticosterone. Furthermore, the presence of a mate during isolation... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5019377 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5019377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4971712&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21689655%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mitsui S, Yamamoto M, Nagasawa M, Mogi K, Kikusui T, Ohtani N, Ohta M A reliable assay based on physiological parameters that does not require subjective input from the owners is required to assess positive emotions in dogs. In addition, when viewed from an animal welfare perspective, physiological parameters should be collected in a noninvasive manner. Oxytocin (OT) is a biomarker that may be associated with a calm, relaxed state, and positive emotion. We measured the time-lapse in the concentration of plasma OT relative to urinary OT using a radioimmunoassay with sufficient sensitivity and low variability, and examined the relationship between OT and cortisol. Six dogs were injected with exogenous OT intravenously to increase the blood OT concentration. As a result, the high... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4971712 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4971712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4971714&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21672543%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Moore FR, Al Dujaili EA, Cornwell RE, Smith MJ, Lawson JF, Sharp M, Perrett DI The stress-linked version of the immunocompetence handicap hypothesis has been proposed to account for inconsistencies in relationships between testosterone and immune response. The model has received some support from studies demonstrating roles of stress hormones in relationships between testosterone, immune function and secondary sexual ornamentation. Such work, however, has relied on artificial elevation of testosterone so may not reflect relationships in natural populations. We created human male facial stimuli on the basis of naturally co-occurring levels of salivary testosterone and the stress hormone cortisol. In Study 1 we tested female preferences for male faces with cues to combinations o... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4971714 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4971714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4971713&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21683080%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined the involvement of GRs in social enhancement of brain cell addition and aggressive signaling in electric fish, Apteronotus leptorhynchus. In this species, long-term social interaction simultaneously elevates plasma cortisol, enhances brain cell addition and increases production of aggressive electrocommunication signals ("chirps"). We implanted isolated and paired fish with capsules containing nothing (controls) or the GR antagonist, RU486, recorded chirp production and locomotion for 7d, and measured the density of newborn cells in the periventricular zone. Compared to isolated controls, paired controls showed elevated chirping in two phases: much higher chirp rates in the first 5h and moderately higher nocturnal rates thereafter. Treating paired fish with RU486 reduced chirp ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4971713 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4971713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4971711&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21689656%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, we found suggestive evidence for stress-induced decrease in central drive HPT axis, but the central mechanisms of its stress regulation remain to be elucidated. Additionally, we found that individual differences in animals' exploratory behavior were correlated with peripheral TH levels. PMID: 21689656 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4971711 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4971711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4971710&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21689657%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined this question in individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), who have atypical exposure to androgens early in development, and their unaffected siblings (total N=125 aged 9 to 26years). Females with CAH had more interest in Things versus People than did unaffected females, and variations among females with CAH reflected variations in their degree of androgen exposure. Results provide strong support for hormonal influences on interest in occupations characterized by working with Things versus People. PMID: 21689657 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4971710 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4971710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4971715&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21664359%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Knickmeyer RC, Woolson S, Hamer RM, Konneker T, Gilmore JH The relative lengths of the 2nd and 4th digits (2D:4D) may provide an easily measurable and stable anthropometric index of prenatal androgen exposure, but no study has examined the development of 2D:4D in infancy and the potential impact of neonatal testosterone levels. We collected 2D:4D ratios from 364 children between 0 and 2years of age. Saliva samples were collected from 236 of these children 3months after birth and analyzed for testosterone. In addition, 259 children provided DNA samples which were genotyped for the CAG repeat polymorphism in the androgen receptor. There was substantial variability across age in 2D:4D. Sex differences were small compared to adults and did not consistently reach statistical signif... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4971715 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4971715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4971716&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21663744%26dopt%3DAbstract This study and previous work demonstrate that tail wagging functions as both attractivity and proceptivity in goats. PMID: 21663744 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4971716 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4971716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4923265&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21658535%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schlinger BA, Carruth L, de Vries GJ, Xu J PMID: 21658535 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4923265 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4923265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4923267&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21645516%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Edelstein RS, Chopik WJ, Shipman EL Single individuals typically have higher testosterone compared to those who are partnered, suggesting that individual differences in testosterone are associated with mating effort, or people's motivation to find a sexual partner. However, there is less consistent evidence for links between testosterone and sociosexuality, or people's orientation toward uncommitted sexual activity. Based on Penke and Asendorpf's (2008) conceptualization, we propose that a more nuanced measure of sociosexuality may reveal more robust associations with testosterone. In the current study, we assessed relations between three components of sociosexuality-desire, behavior, and attitudes-and endogenous testosterone levels in men and women. We found that partnered st... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4923267 Sun, 29 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4923267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4923270&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21621542%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Miryala CS, Hassell J, Adams S, Hiegel C, Uzor N, Uphouse L When ovariectomized Fischer female rats are hormonally primed with 10μg estradiol benzoate, a 5min restraint experience rapidly inhibits lordosis behavior. Addition of progesterone to the hormonal priming prevents this restraint-induced inhibition. In prior work, we reported evidence that progesterone receptors (PR) may contribute to this protective effect of progesterone. In the current manuscript, we provide evidence that progesterone metabolites may also contribute to progesterone's ability to reduce the effects of restraint. Ovariectomized female rats were hormonally primed with 10μg estradiol benzoate followed 2days later with 4.0mg/kg of the progesterone metabolite, allopregnanolone. Allopregnanolone, administ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4923270 Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4923270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4923269&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21635894%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hassell J, Miryala CS, Hiegel C, Uphouse L Progestins and antiprogestins are widely used therapeutic agents in humans. In many cases, these are indicated for the treatment of reproductive activities. However, progesterone has widespread physiological effects including a reduction of the response to stress. We have reported that 5min of restraint reduced lordosis behavior of ovariectomized rats hormonally primed with estradiol benzoate. When ovariectomized rats received both estradiol benzoate and progesterone priming, restraint had minimal effects on lordosis. Progesterone influences behavior through classical intracellular progesterone receptor-mediated nuclear events as well as extranuclear events. How these multiple events contribute to the response to stress is unclear. Th... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4923269 Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4923269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4923271&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21619882%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Doane LD, Franz CE, Prom-Wormley E, Eaves LJ, Mendoza SP, Hellhammer DH, Lupien S, Xian H, Lyons MJ, Kremen W, Jacobson KC Prior research suggests that individuals with particular personality traits, like negative emotionality, are at greater risk for adverse health outcomes. Despite bivariate associations between negative emotionality, depressive symptoms and the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA axis), few studies have sought to understand the biological pathways through which negative emotionality, depressive symptomatology and cortisol-one of the primary hormonal products of the HPA axis-are associated. The present study explored whether negative emotionality influenced cortisol dysregulation through current depressive symptomatology and whether negative emotionalit... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4923271 Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4923271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4923268&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21635895%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we used a breeding colony of Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii), a wild rodent species from the Inner Mongolia grasslands in China, to examine the effects of pre- and post-weaning cold exposure on the adult body (fat) mass, serum hormones and hypothalamic neuropeptides. Unlike laboratory rodents, vole offspring exposed to pre-weaning cold did not exhibit overweight or obese phenotypes in adulthood compared with unexposed controls. Moreover, adult male voles that remained in colder conditions had less body mass and lower serum leptin levels despite having higher food intake compared to other groups. To understand the mechanism of this unexpected regulation, hypothalamic gene expression was assessed for pre- and post-weaning cold exposure. Voles exposed to cold before wean... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4923268 Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4923268 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4877162&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21575640%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Addis EA, Clark AD, Wingfield JC Most work investigating modulation of testosterone (T) levels in birds has focused on northern temperate and Arctic species, and to a lesser degree, tropical species. Studies exploring modulation of T in birds in temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere are lacking. Here we explore patterns of T secretion across the breeding season in two populations of temperate Zonotrichia capensis in Chile, located only 130km apart, but separated by 2000m in elevation. We then compared these T profiles to those of conspecifcs in the tropics and congeners in northern zones. We measured baseline T levels during pre-breeding in lowland Z. c. chilensis, early breeding in highland Z. c. chilensis and mid-breeding in both populations. We also tested for social... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4877162 Fri, 13 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4877162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4877161&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21596046%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined if the prosocial effects of oxytocin (OT) extend from individuals to a generalized other who is in need. Participants played a series of economic games to earn money and were presented with an opportunity to donate a portion of their earnings to charity. OT did not significantly increase the decision to donate, but among the 36% of participants who did donate, people infused with OT were found to donate 48% more to charity than those given a placebo. The amount of money earned in the experiment had no effect on whether or not a donation was made or the size of a donation. This is the first study showing that OT increases generosity in unilateral exchanges directed toward philanthropic social institutions, as opposed to immediate benefits directed at individuals or group... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4877161 Sat, 07 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4877161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4877160&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21596047%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Goldina A, Gavassa S, Stoddard PK The communication signals of electric fish can be dynamic, varying between the sexes on a circadian rhythm and in response to social and environmental cues. In the gymnotiform fish Brachyhypopomus gauderio waveform shape of the electric organ discharge (EOD) is regulated by steroid and peptide hormones. Furthermore, EOD amplitude and duration change on different timescales and in response to different social stimuli, suggesting that they are regulated by different mechanisms. Little is known about how androgen and peptide hormone systems interact to regulate signal waveform. We investigated the relationship between the androgens testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), the melanocortin peptide hormone α-MSH, and their roles in regula... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4877160 Sat, 07 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4877160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4877164&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21570399%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Plusquellec P, Ouellet-Morin I, Feng B, Pérusse D, Tremblay RE, Lupien SJ, Boivin M Glucocorticoids (GCs) have been related to social rank in many studies across species, a particular rank giving rise to a particular stress-related physiological profile. Our aim was to examine the hypothesis that GCs levels in toddlers would be related to social dominance in a competitive resource situation. Subjects were 376 toddlers from the Quebec Newborn Twin Study. At 19months of age, each subject was exposed to 2 unfamiliar situations known to be moderately stressful at that age. Saliva was collected before and after the unfamiliar situations, to assess pre-test and reactive cortisol. Then the toddler reaction to a competitive situation for a toy with an unfamiliar peer was assessed and... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4877164 Tue, 03 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4877164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4877163&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21570400%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, separation environment, maternal care and genotype do not affect adrenal desensitization to repeated 8h-MS itself, but may modulate the adrenal stress-responsiveness of separated pups. PMID: 21570400 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4877163 Mon, 02 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4877163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4824323&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21554881%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shalev I, Israel S, Uzefovsky F, Gritsenko I, Kaitz M, Ebstein RP The nonapeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) plays an important role in hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation and also functions as a social hormone in a wide variety of species, from voles to humans. In the current report we use a variety of stress inducing tasks, including the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and intranasal administration of AVP to show that intranasal administration of this neuropeptide leads to a significant increase in salivary cortisol and pulse rate, specifically in conditions where subjects perform tasks in the presence of a social evaluative threat (task performance could be negatively judged by others). In contrast, in conditions without a social evaluative threat (no task condit... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4824323 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4824323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4824322&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21554882%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Scotti MA, Stevenson SA, Gammie SC Neurotensin (NT) is a highly conserved neuropeptide in mammals. Recent studies suggest that altered NT neurotransmission in postpartum females could promote the emergence of some maternal behaviors, including offspring protection. Here we evaluated how virgin and postpartum brains from mice selected for high maternal defense differ in response to NT. Virgin and postpartum mice were injected with either vehicle or 0.1μg NT icv and brains were evaluated for c-Fos immunoreactivity, an indirect marker of neuronal activity. Using ANOVA analysis, common significant responses to NT were found in both female groups in four brain regions, including supraoptic nucleus, ventromedial nucleus, bed nucleus of stria terminalis dorsal, and a subregion of la... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4824322 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4824322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4824321&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21554883%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sullivan AW, Hamilton P, Patisaul HB The organization of the developing male rodent brain is profoundly influenced by endogenous steroids, most notably estrogen. This process may be disrupted by estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) resulting in altered sex behavior and the capacity to attract a mate in adulthood. To better understand the relative role each estrogen receptor (ER) subtype (ERα and ERβ) plays in mediating these effects, we exposed male Long Evans rats to estradiol benzoate (EB, 10μg), vehicle, or agonists specific for ERβ (DPN, 1mg/kg) or ERα (PPT, 1mg/kg) daily for the first four days of life, and then assessed adult male reproductive behavior and attractiveness via a partner preference paradigm. DPN had a greater adverse impact than PPT on repr... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4824321 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4824321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4824320&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21557946%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chauke M, Malisch JL, Robinson C, de Jong TR, Saltzman W In several mammalian species, lactating females show blunted neural, hormonal, and behavioral responses to stressors. It is not known whether new fathers also show stress hyporesponsiveness in species in which males provide infant care. To test this possibility, we determined the effects of male and female reproductive status on stress responsiveness in the biparental, monogamous California mouse (Peromyscus californicus). Breeding (N=8 females, 8 males), nonbreeding (N=10 females, 10 males) and virgin mice (N=12 females, 9 males) were exposed to a 5-min predator-urine stressor at two time points, corresponding to the early postpartum (5-7days postpartum) and mid/late postpartum (19-21days postpartum) phases, and blood s... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4824320 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4824320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4824324&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21549122%26dopt%3DAbstract This study suggests that invasive species may alter the relationship between the physiological and behavioral stress response of native species. PMID: 21549122 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4824324 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4824324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4824325&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21514299%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Heiman JR, Rupp H, Janssen E, Newhouse SK, Brauer M, Laan E The interaction between women's hormonal condition and subjective, physiological, and behavioral indices of desire or arousal remains only partially explored, in spite of frequent reports from women about problems with a lack of sexual desire. The present study recruited premenopausal women at two sites, one in the United States and the other in the Netherlands, and incorporated various measures of acute changes in sexual desire and arousal. A sample of 46 women who met criteria for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) was compared to 47 women who experienced no sexual problems (SF). Half of each group used oral contraceptives (OCs). The specific goal was to investigate whether there is a relationship between wome... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4824325 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4824325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4824326&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21497602%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ophir AG PMID: 21497602 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Hormones and Behavior) Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4824326 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4824326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4824327&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21466807%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bourke CH, Neigh GN Evidence suggests that women are more susceptible to stress-related disorders than men. Animal studies demonstrate a similar female sensitivity to stress and have been used to examine the underlying neurobiology of sex-specific effects of stress. Although our understanding of the sex-specific effects of chronic adolescent stress has grown in recent years, few studies have reported the effects of adolescent stress on depressive-like behavior. The purpose of this study was to determine if a chronic mixed modality stressor (consisting of isolation, restraint, and social defeat) during adolescence (PND 37-49) resulted in differential and sustained changes in depressive-like behavior in male and female Wistar rats. Female rats exposed to chronic adolescent stres... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4824327 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4824327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4824328&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21459095%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Armbruster D, Mueller A, Strobel A, Lesch KP, Brocke B, Kirschbaum C Considerable variability in the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in response to stress has been found in quantitative genetic studies investigating healthy individuals suggesting that at least part of this variance is due to genetic factors. Since the HPA axis is regulated by a neuronal network including amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex as well as brainstem circuits, the investigation of candidate genes that impact neurotransmitter systems related to these brain regions might further elucidate the genetic underpinnings of the stress response. However, aside from genetic risk factors, past stressful life events might also result in long-term adjustments of HPA axis reactivity. ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4824328 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4824328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4668381&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21443878%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we determined whether adult neurogenesis is involved in repairing GnRH neurons, specifically by generating newborn cells exhibiting GnRHIimmunoreactive properties. We selectively applied electrolytic lesions to three different regions of the diencephalon, including the preoptic area, which contains GnRH-I neurons, and identified new cells (BrdU-positive cells) that co-labeled with GnRH-I-immunoreactive cells. The BrdU+/GnRH+doublelabeled cells were then confirmed with confocal laser analysis. In brains of both male and female ring doves we found new neurons at the lesion site of the preoptic region that were GnRH-I immunoreactive. However, the total number of GnRH neurons in the lesioned brains was less than that of sham-lesioned brains. When two other regions of the diencep... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4668381 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4668381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4668383&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21439964%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Santollo J, Torregrossa AM, Eckel LA Estradiol (E2) exerts an inhibitory effect on food intake in a variety of species. While compelling evidence indicates that central, rather than peripheral, estrogen receptors (ERs) mediate this effect, the exact brain regions involved have yet to be conclusively identified. In order to identify brain regions that are sufficient for E2's anorectic effect, food intake was monitored for 48h following acute, unilateral, microinfusions of vehicle and two doses (0.25 and 2.5μg) of a water-soluble form of E2 in multiple brain regions within the hypothalamus and midbrain of ovariectomized rats. Dose-related decreases in 24-h food intake were observed following E2 administration in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), arcuate nucleus (ARC), and dorsal... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4668383 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4668383 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4668385&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21439287%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: George WH, Davis KC, Heiman JR, Norris J, Stoner SA, Schacht RL, Hendershot CS, Kajumulo KF The basic relationship between alcohol and women's sexual arousal - especially genital arousal -received little research attention for nearly30 years (e.g. Wilson & Lawson, 1978) until very recently (e.g. George et al., 2009). To investigate hypotheses based on earlier findings and Alcohol Myopia Theory (AMT), two experiments evaluated the effects of high blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) and arousal instructional demands on indices of vaginal responding and self-reported sexual arousal. In Experiment 1, self-control instructions to maximize (versus suppress) arousal increased peak and average Vaginal Pulse Amplitude (VPA)change. Self-control also interacted with a target BAC of .... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4668385 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4668385 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4668384&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21439288%26dopt%3DAbstract Hormonal effects of maltreatment in Nazca booby nestlings: implications for the "cycle of violence" Horm Behav. 2011 Mar 22; Authors: Grace JK, Dean K, Ottinger MA, Anderson DJ Non-breeding Nazca booby adults exhibit an unusual and intense social attraction to non-familial conspecific nestlings. Non-parental Adult Visitors (NAVs) seek out and approach unguarded nestlings during daylight hours and display parental, aggressive, and/or sexual behavior. In a striking parallel to the "cycle of violence" of human biology, degree of victimization as a nestling is strongly correlated with frequency of future maltreatment behavior exhibited as an adult. Here, we investigate candidates for permanent organization of this behavior, including immediate and long-term changes in growth and ci... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4668384 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4668384 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4668386&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21420411%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pollet TV, der Meij LV, Cobey KD, Buunk AP Testosterone (T) has been argued to modulate mating and parenting behavior in many species, including humans. The role of T for these behaviors has been framed as the challenge hypothesis. Following to this hypothesis, T should be positively associated with the number of opposite sex partners a male has and research in humans has shown that T is indeed positively related to the number of opposite sex partners a young man has had. Here we test, in both men and women, whether this relationship extends to the lifetime number of sex partners. We also explored whether or not T was associated with current marital status, partnership status and whether or not the participant remarried. Using a large sample of elderly men and women (each samp... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4668386 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4668386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607548&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21397602%26dopt%3DAbstract This article, while focusing on sexual arousal in men, provides a conceptual analysis of this construct, reviews models of sexual arousal, and discusses the usefulness of perspectives derived from motivation and emotion research in improving our understanding of its determinants and behavioral correlates. In this, it considers the role of genital feedback in men's subjective sexual arousal and the connections between sexual arousal and sexual desire. Future research and definitions may increasingly focus on its central integrative functions (as opposed to its input and output characteristics). Yet, the study of sexual arousal can be expected to continue to benefit from the measurement of its genital, verbal, and behavioral components. Instances of discordance between response components su... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607548 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607547&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21397603%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: N Salmaso , Quinlan MG, Brake WG, B Woodside A rapid upregulation of astrocytic protein expression within area 2 of the cingulate cortex (Cg2) of the maternal rat occurs within 3 hours postpartum and persists throughout lactation. Previous studies have shown that similar changes in astrocytic proteins can signal changes in local synapses and dendritic spines. Thus, here we used the Golgi-Cox impregnation technique to compare spine density in Layer 2 and 3 pyramidal cells of Cg2, the CA1 region of the hippocampus and the parietal cortex (ParCx) among metestrus, late pregnant (LP), 3-hour postpartum (3H PP) and 16-day postpartum rats (D16 PP). In both Cg2 and CA1 rats in the 3H PP group had higher numbers of dendritic spines/10μm on the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons th... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607547 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607546&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21397604%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hagenauer MH, King AF, Possidente B, McGinnis MY, Lumia AR, Peckham EM, Lee TM During puberty, humans develop a later chronotype, exhibiting a phase-delayed daily rest/activity rhythm. The purpose of this study was to determine: 1) whether similar changes in chronotype occur during puberty in a laboratory rodent species, 2) whether these changes are due to pubertal hormones affecting the circadian timekeeping system. We tracked the phasing and distribution of wheel-running activity rhythms during post-weaning development in rats that were gonadectomized before puberty or left intact. We found that intact peripubertal rats had activity rhythms that were phase-delayed relative to adults. Young rats also exhibited a bimodal nocturnal activity distribution. As puberty progressed, ... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607546 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607545&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21397605%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fortenberry JD, Hensel DJ Theoretical and empirical linkages of adult women's sexual interest and sexual behaviors are relatively well-established, but few data address similar issues in adolescent women. This paper reviews data from published reports of associations of adolescent women's sexual interest and various sexual behaviors. All of the papers reported data collected from a single longitudinal cohort of young women. The primary source of data collection was daily diaries, allowing close temporal pairing of sexual interest with sexual behaviors. Young women's sexual interest on a given day was consistently and independently associated with sexual activity on that day, whether the behavior was first lifetime coitus, coitus, fellatio, cunnilingus, anal intercourse, or coi... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607545 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607555&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376721%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Klump KL, Suisman JL, Culbert KM, Kashy DA, Keel PK, Sisk CL Ovarian hormones are associated with binge eating in women, however findings are limited by the lack of experimental control inherent in human studies. Animal research that manipulates ovarian hormone status and examines individual differences in extreme binge eating proneness is needed to model clinical phenotypes in humans and to confirm causal effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of adult ovariectomy on overall binge eating risk and extreme binge eating phenotypes using the binge eating resistant (BER)/binge eating prone (BEP) rat model. We predicted that palatable food consumption would significantly increase after ovariectomy in all rats because ovarian hormones generally suppress food i... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607555 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607554&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376722%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Arlet ME, Kaasik A, Molleman F, Isbell L, Carey JR, Mänd R Testosterone can be expected to play a significant role in mediating behavior and life history in social animals, but the number of species with data from the wild is still too small to make generalizations. We investigated the influence of social factors (social status, aggression, and reproductive females) and environmental variation (rainfall and temperature) on fecal testosterone concentrations in wild male gray-cheeked mangabeys (Lophocebus albigena) living in five groups in Kibale National Park, Uganda. This species is phylogenetically closely related to baboons, but is arboreal, with multi-male, multi-female groups rarely exceeding 20 individuals. We analyzed 358 fecal samples from 21 adult males. We found that... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607554 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607554 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607553&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376723%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we have assessed whether the administration of estradiol benzoate, the estrogen receptor β selective agonist diarylpropionitrile or the estrogen receptor α selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol affect performance of androgen-deprived male Wistar rats in the cross-maze test. In addition, we tested the effect of raloxifene and tamoxifen, two selective estrogen receptor modulators used in clinical practice. The behavior of the rats was assessed 2weeks after orchidectomy or sham surgery. Orchidectomy impaired acquisition in the cross-maze test. Estradiol benzoate and the selective estrogen receptor β agonist significantly improved acquisition in the cross-maze test compared to orchidectomized animals injected with vehicle. Raloxifene and tamoxifen at a dose of 1mg/kg, but no... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607553 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607552&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376724%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Koopmann A, Dinter C, Grosshans M, von der Goltz C, Hentschel R, Dahmen N, Gallinat J, Wagner M, Gründer G, Thürauf N, Wienker T, Brinkmeyer J, Mobascher A, Spreckelmeyer KN, Clepce M, de Millas W, Wiedemann K, Winterer G, Kiefer F Preclinical and clinical data suggest modulating effects of appetite-regulating hormones and stress perception on food intake. Nicotine intake also interferes with regulation of body weight. Especially following smoking cessation gaining weight is a common but only partially understood consequence. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction between smoking habits, the appetite regulating hormone leptin, negative affectivity, and stress vulnerability on eating behavior in a clinical case-control study under standardized conditions. In a l... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607552 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607551&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376725%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigates the association of ischemia-induced spatial memory impairment to alterations of the HPA axis and noradrenergic activation post insult. Experiment 1 characterized the effects of 10min forebrain ischemia on corticosterone secretion following ischemia and in response to spatial memory assessment in the Barnes maze, as well as the impact of pre-ischemia treatment with the glucocorticoid inhibitor metyrapone (175mg/kg; s.c.). The results showed that cerebral ischemia represents a significant physiological stressor that upregulated corticosterone secretion 1, 24 and 72h post-ischemia but not at 7days. In response to testing in the Barnes maze ischemic animals showed elevated CORT secretion simultaneously with spatial memory deficits. The single dose of metyrapone attenuat... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607551 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607550&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376726%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Champagne FA The non-genomic transmission of maternal behavior from one generation to the next illustrates the pervasive influence of maternal care on offspring development and the high degree of plasticity within the developing maternal brain. Investigations of the mechanisms through which these maternal effects are achieved have demonstrated environmentally-induced changes in gene expression associated with epigenetic modifications within the promoter region of target genes. These findings raise challenging questions regarding the pathways linking experience to behavioral variation and the broader ecological/evolutionary implications of the dynamic changes in neuroendocrine function that emerge. This review will highlight studies in laboratory rodents which demonstrate plast... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607550 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607549&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376727%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pawluski JL, van den Hove DL, Rayen I, Prickaerts J, Steinbusch HW Fifteen percent of women worldwide develop postpartum depression; however, many women also suffer from mood disorders during pregnancy. Our knowledge of how these stress-related disorders affect the neurobiology of the mother is very limited. In animal models, depressive-like behavior is often associated with repeated stress and alterations in adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. However, research has yet to investigate the effect of stress on affective-like behavior and hippocampal neurogenesis in the pregnant female. The aim of the present study was to determine whether stress during gestation alters affective-like behaviors, corticosterone levels, and hippocampal cell proliferation and new cell survival in... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607549 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607557&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376051%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Correa SM, Horan CM, Johnson PA, Adkins-Regan E Environmental cues and social interactions are known to influence reproductive physiology and behavior in vertebrates. In female birds, male courtship displays can result in the growth of ovarian follicles, the production of reproductive hormones, and stimulation of oviduct development, all of which have the potential to influence maternal investment. Male Japanese quail follow a typical sequence of copulatory behaviors during a mating interaction and often force copulations with unreceptive females. We hypothesized that female Japanese quail could adjust maternal investment in response to male copulatory behaviors during a single mating interaction. We investigated the relationships between 1) male copulatory behaviors and post-... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607557 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607557 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4607556&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21376052%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ismail N, Garas P, Blaustein JD Exposure to stress during puberty can lead to long-term behavioral alterations. Female mice of the inbred C57BL/6 strain have been shown to display lower levels of sexual receptivity in adulthood when exposed to shipping stress or to an immune challenge during puberty. The present study investigated whether this effect can be extended to CD1 outbred mice and examined a possible mechanism through which exposure to stressors could suppress sexual receptivity. The results revealed that CD1 mice injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or exposed to shipping stress at 6weeks old display lower levels of sexual receptivity in response to estradiol and progesterone in adulthood than control mice. Moreover, mice exposed to shipping stress at 8weeks old al... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4607556 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4607556 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545295&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21352827%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Holstege G, Huynh HK In cats, there exists a descending system that controls the posture necessary for mating behavior. A key role is played by the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray (PAG), which maintains strong specific projections to the nucleus retroambiguus located laterally in the most caudal medulla. The NRA, in turn, has direct access to motoneurons in the lumbosacral cord that produce the mating posture. This pathway is slightly different in males and females, but in females its strength fluctuates strongly depending on whether or not the cat is in heat. This way the PAG determines whether or not mating can take place. Via the PAG many other regions in the limbic system as well as in the prefrontal cortex and insula can influence mating behavior. In humans, the brain a... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545295 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4545295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545297&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21338605%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Normandin JJ, Murphy AZ Somatic genital reflexes such as ejaculation and vaginocervical contractions are produced through the striated muscles associated with the genitalia. The coordination of these reflexes is surprisingly complex and involves a number of lumbosacral spinal and supraspinal systems. The rat model has proved to be an excellent source of information regarding these mechanisms, and many parallels to research in humans can be drawn. An understanding of the spinal systems involving the lumbosacral spinal cord, both efferent and afferent, has been generated through decades of research. Spinal and supraspinal mechanisms of descending excitation, through a spinal ejaculation generator in the lumbar spinal cord and thalamus, and descending inhibition, through the vent... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545297 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4545297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4545296&cid=s_35621_15_f&fid=35621&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21338606%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pasterski V, Geffner ME, Brain C, Hindmarsh P, Brook C, Hines M We investigated playmate and play style preference in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) (26 females, 31 males) and their unaffected siblings (26 females, 17 males) using the Playmate and Play Style Preferences Structured Interview (PPPSI). Both unaffected boys and girls preferred same-sex playmates and sex-typical play styles. In the conflict condition where children chose between a same-sex playmate engaged in an other-sex activity or an other-sex playmate engaged in a same-sex activity, boys (both CAH and unaffected brothers) almost exclusively chose playmates based on the preferred play style of the playmate as opposed to the preferred gender label of the playmate. By contrast, unaffected girls... Hormones and Behavior journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4545296 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4545296