Records |
Author |
Ganswindt, A.; Palme, R.; Heistermann, M.; Borragan, S.; Hodges, J.K. |
Title |
Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical function in the male African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and its relation to musth |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2003 |
Publication |
General and Comparative Endocrinology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Gen Comp Endocrinol |
Volume |
134 |
Issue |
2 |
Pages |
156-166 |
Keywords |
Adrenal Cortex/*metabolism/secretion; Adrenal Cortex Function Tests/methods/*veterinary; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/physiology; Animals; Carbon Isotopes/diagnostic use; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/veterinary; Elephants/*metabolism/urine; Feces/*chemistry; Glucocorticoids/analysis/urine; Hydrocortisone/*analysis/diagnostic use/urine; Immunoenzyme Techniques/methods/veterinary; Male; Reproduction/physiology; Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology; Stress, Psychological/diagnosis/*physiopathology; Testosterone/*analysis/diagnostic use/urine |
Abstract |
Adult male elephants periodically show the phenomenon of musth, a condition associated with increased aggressiveness, restlessness, significant weight reduction and markedly elevated androgen levels. It has been suggested that musth-related behaviours are costly and that therefore musth may represent a form of physiological stress. In order to provide data on this largely unanswered question, the first aim of this study was to evaluate different assays for non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical function in the male African elephant by (i) characterizing the metabolism and excretion of [3H]cortisol (3H-C) and [14C]testosterone (14C-T) and (ii) using this information to evaluate the specificity of four antibodies for determination of excreted cortisol metabolites, particularly with respect to possible cross-reactions with androgen metabolites, and to assess their biological validity using an ACTH challenge test. Based on the methodology established, the second objective was to provide data on fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations in bulls during the musth and non-musth condition. 3H-C (1 mCi) and 14C-T (100 microCi) were injected simultaneously into a 16 year old male and all urine and feces collected for 30 and 86 h, respectively. The majority (82%) of cortisol metabolites was excreted into the urine, whereas testosterone metabolites were mainly (57%) excreted into the feces. Almost all radioactive metabolites recovered from urine were conjugated (86% 3H-C and 97% 14C-T). In contrast, 86% and >99% of the 3H-C and 14C-T metabolites recovered from feces consisted of unconjugated forms. HPLC separations indicated the presence of various metabolites of cortisol in both urine and feces, with cortisol being abundant in hydrolysed urine, but virtually absent in feces. Although all antibodies measured substantial amounts of immunoreactivity after HPLC separation of peak radioactive samples and detected an increase in glucocorticoid output following the ACTH challenge, only two (in feces against 3alpha,11-oxo-cortisol metabolites, measured by an 11-oxo-etiocholanolone-EIA and in urine against cortisol, measured by a cortisol-EIA) did not show substantial cross-reactivity with excreted 14C-T metabolites and could provide an acceptable degree of specificity for reliable assessment of glucocorticoid output from urine and feces. Based on these findings, concentrations of immunoreactive 3alpha,11-oxo-cortisol metabolites were determined in weekly fecal samples collected from four adult bulls over periods of 11-20 months to examine whether musth is associated with increased adrenal activity. Results showed that in each male levels of these cortisol metabolites were not elevated during periods of musth, suggesting that in the African elephant musth is generally not associated with marked elevations in glucocorticoid output. Given the complex nature of musth and the variety of factors that are likely to influence its manifestation, it is clear, however, that further studies, particularly on free-ranging animals, are needed before a possible relationship between musth and adrenal function can be resolved. This study also clearly illustrates the potential problems associated with cross-reacting metabolites of gonadal steroids in EIAs measuring glucocorticoid metabolites. This has to be taken into account when selecting assays and interpreting results of glucocorticoid metabolite analysis, not only for studies in the elephant but also in other species. |
Address |
German Primate Centre, Department of Reproductive Biology, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Gottingen, Germany. ganswindt@www.dpz.gdwg.de |
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English |
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0016-6480 |
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PMID:14511986 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4085 |
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Author |
Wolf, M.; van Doorn, G.S.; Leimar, O.; Weissing, F.J. |
Title |
Life-history trade-offs favour the evolution of animal personalities |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2007 |
Publication |
Nature |
Abbreviated Journal |
Nature |
Volume |
447 |
Issue |
7144 |
Pages |
581-584 |
Keywords |
Aggression/physiology/psychology; Animals; Behavior, Animal/*physiology; *Evolution; Exploratory Behavior/physiology; Models, Biological; Personality/*physiology; Predatory Behavior/physiology; Reproduction/physiology; Risk-Taking; Selection (Genetics) |
Abstract |
In recent years evidence has been accumulating that personalities are not only found in humans but also in a wide range of other animal species. Individuals differ consistently in their behavioural tendencies and the behaviour in one context is correlated with the behaviour in multiple other contexts. From an adaptive perspective, the evolution of animal personalities is still a mystery, because a more flexible structure of behaviour should provide a selective advantage. Accordingly, many researchers view personalities as resulting from constraints imposed by the architecture of behaviour (but see ref. 12). In contrast, we show here that animal personalities can be given an adaptive explanation. Our argument is based on the insight that the trade-off between current and future reproduction often results in polymorphic populations in which some individuals put more emphasis on future fitness returns than others. Life-history theory predicts that such differences in fitness expectations should result in systematic differences in risk-taking behaviour. Individuals with high future expectations (who have much to lose) should be more risk-averse than individuals with low expectations. This applies to all kinds of risky situations, so individuals should consistently differ in their behaviour. By means of an evolutionary model we demonstrate that this basic principle results in the evolution of animal personalities. It simultaneously explains the coexistence of behavioural types, the consistency of behaviour through time and the structure of behavioural correlations across contexts. Moreover, it explains the common finding that explorative behaviour and risk-related traits like boldness and aggressiveness are common characteristics of animal personalities. |
Address |
Theoretical Biology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands |
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ISSN |
1476-4687 |
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PMID:17538618 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4098 |
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Author |
Bell, A.M. |
Title |
Evolutionary biology: animal personalities |
Type |
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Year |
2007 |
Publication |
Nature |
Abbreviated Journal |
Nature |
Volume |
447 |
Issue |
7144 |
Pages |
539-540 |
Keywords |
Aggression/physiology/psychology; Animals; Behavior, Animal/*physiology; *Evolution; Humans; *Models, Biological; Personality/genetics/*physiology; Reproduction/genetics/physiology; Risk-Taking; Selection (Genetics) |
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1476-4687 |
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PMID:17538607 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4099 |
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Author |
Zhang, T.-Y.; Parent, C.; Weaver, I.; Meaney, M.J. |
Title |
Maternal programming of individual differences in defensive responses in the rat |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2004 |
Publication |
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ann N Y Acad Sci |
Volume |
1032 |
Issue |
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Pages |
85-103 |
Keywords |
Adaptation, Biological; Aggression/*physiology; Animals; Evolution; Female; Gene Expression/physiology; Humans; Individuality; *Maternal Behavior; Phenotype; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Rats; Stress, Psychological/physiopathology |
Abstract |
This paper describes the results of a series of studies showing that variations in mother-pup interactions program the development of individual differences in behavioral and endocrine stress responses in the rat. These effects are associated with altered expression of genes in brain regions, such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus, that regulate the expression of stress responses. Studies from evolutionary biology suggest that such “maternal effects” are common and often associated with variations in the quality of the maternal environment. Together these findings suggest an epigenetic process whereby the experience of the mother alters the nature of the parent-offspring interactions and thus the phenotype of the offspring. |
Address |
McGill Program for the Study of Behavior, Genes and Environment, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 6875 boul. LaSalle, Montreal (Quebec), Canada H4H 1R3 |
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ISSN |
0077-8923 |
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Notes |
PMID:15677397 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4132 |
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Author |
Levy, J. |
Title |
The mammalian brain and the adaptive advantage of cerebral asymmetry |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1977 |
Publication |
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Abbreviated Journal |
Ann N Y Acad Sci |
Volume |
299 |
Issue |
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Pages |
264-272 |
Keywords |
*Adaptation, Physiological; Adaptation, Psychological/physiology; Animals; Behavior, Animal/physiology; Brain/*physiology; Cognition/physiology; Dominance, Cerebral/*physiology; *Evolution; Humans; Intelligence; Perception/physiology |
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0077-8923 |
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Notes |
PMID:280207 |
Approved |
no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4137 |
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Author |
Cattell, R.B.; Korth, B. |
Title |
The isolation of temperament dimensions in dogs |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1973 |
Publication |
Behavioral Biology |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behav Biol |
Volume |
9 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
15-30 |
Keywords |
Aggression; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; Biometry; Body Weight; *Dogs; Emotions; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Female; Genetics, Behavioral; Heart Rate; Humans; Intelligence; Male; Models, Psychological; *Personality; Problem Solving; Social Behavior |
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0091-6773 |
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PMID:4738708 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4140 |
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Author |
Boughner, R.L.; Papini, M.R. |
Title |
Appetitive latent inhibition in rats: preexposure performance does not predict conditioned performance |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2006 |
Publication |
Behavioural Processes |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behav. Process. |
Volume |
72 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
42-51 |
Keywords |
Animals; *Appetitive Behavior; Association Learning; *Conditioning, Classical; *Habituation, Psychophysiologic; Individuality; *Inhibition (Psychology); Male; Motivation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; *Reaction Time |
Abstract |
Nonreinforced preexposure to a conditioned stimulus impairs subsequent conditioning with that stimulus. The goal of these studies was to assess the extent to which acquisition performance could be predicted from preexposure performance using a correlational approach. For both preexposure and autoshaping, four measures of performance were computed, including overall average lever pressing, lever pressing in the initial session, percentage change in lever pressing, and slopes. These measures were correlated in a large sample of rats trained in an autoshaping situation. None of the three measures of autoshaping performance was consistently predicted by any of the three measures of preexposure performance. These results are consistent with the view that latent inhibition is not reducible to long-term habituation. |
Address |
Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, TX 76129, United States |
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0376-6357 |
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PMID:16406375 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4147 |
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Author |
Lafferty, K.D. |
Title |
Look what the cat dragged in: do parasites contribute to human cultural diversity? |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
2005 |
Publication |
Behavioural Processes |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behav. Process. |
Volume |
68 |
Issue |
3 |
Pages |
279-282 |
Keywords |
Adaptation, Physiological/physiology; Adaptation, Psychological/physiology; Animals; Behavior/physiology; *Behavior Control; Cats/*parasitology; Cultural Diversity; Host-Parasite Relations; Humans; Personality/*physiology; Toxoplasma/*physiology; Toxoplasmosis/parasitology/*psychology |
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Address |
Western Ecological Research Center, United States Geological Survey, c/o Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. lafferty@lifesci.ucsb.edu |
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0376-6357 |
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PMID:15792708 |
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no |
Call Number |
Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4148 |
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Author |
McClearn, G.E. |
Title |
Behavioral genetics |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1971 |
Publication |
Behavioral Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Behav Sci |
Volume |
16 |
Issue |
1 |
Pages |
64-81 |
Keywords |
Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors; Animals; Aptitude; Behavior, Animal; Chromosome Aberrations; Cognition; Cytogenetics; Female; *Genetics, Behavioral; Genetics, Population; Humans; Intelligence; Mental Retardation; Mice; Models, Biological; Personality; Phenylketonurias; Pregnancy; Research; Schizophrenia; Sex Chromosome Aberrations; Twins |
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0005-7940 |
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PMID:5105941 |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4150 |
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Author |
Detmer, D. |
Title |
Response: of pigs and primitive notions |
Type |
Journal Article |
Year |
1992 |
Publication |
Between the Species : a Journal of Ethics |
Abbreviated Journal |
Between Species |
Volume |
8 |
Issue |
4 |
Pages |
203-208 |
Keywords |
Agriculture; *Animal Rights; Animals; *Animals, Genetically Modified; Humans; Self Concept; Stress, Psychological; Genetics and Reproduction |
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Notes |
PMID:12091951; KIE: 9 fn.; KIE: KIE BoB Subject Heading: genetic intervention |
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no |
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Equine Behaviour @ team @ |
Serial |
4156 |
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