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Witczak LR, Arias Del Razo R, Baxter A, Conley AJ, Cotterman R, Dufek M, Goetze LR, Lau AR, Mendoza SP, Savidge LE, Bales KL. Relationships between cortisol and urinary androgens in female titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 314:113927. [PMID: 34653435 PMCID: PMC9250648 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Steroid hormones are critical to the regulation of sociosexual behavior. Their role in the formation of pair bonds is complicated by the relative scarcity of this social system in mammals, as well as species and taxonomic differences in endocrine systems. In the present study, we experimentally manipulated the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in female titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus), a neotropical monkey studied for its strong, selective pair bonds. We validated an assay for plasma and urinary cortisol in this species, showing a strong suppression of cortisol following dexamethasone injection, and a significant but somewhat blunted response to adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH) stimulation. Urinary androgens did not change in response to dexamethasone or ACTH. Plasma and urinary cortisol were moderately correlated, whereas urinary cortisol and androgens were only correlated when extreme cortisol values were included. In this study, we laid groundwork for studying the role of glucocorticoids and androgens (and eventually, their interactions with peptides) in the behavioral endocrinology of pair bonds in female titi monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynea R Witczak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Rocío Arias Del Razo
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Alexander Baxter
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Alan J Conley
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Rebecca Cotterman
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Madison Dufek
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Leana R Goetze
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Allison R Lau
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States; Graduate Program in Animal Behavior, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Sally P Mendoza
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Logan E Savidge
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States
| | - Karen L Bales
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, United States; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, United States; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, United States; Graduate Program in Animal Behavior, University of California, Davis, United States.
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2
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Wood EK, Jarman P, Cash E, Baxter A, Capitanio JP, Higley JD. Masculinized Second-to-Fourth Digit Ratio (2D:4D Ratio) Is Associated With Lower Cortisol Response in Infant Female Rhesus Monkeys ( Macaca mulatta). Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:94. [PMID: 33088262 PMCID: PMC7497207 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio) is considered a postnatal proxy measure for the degree of prenatal androgen exposure (PAE), which is the primary factor responsible for masculinizing the brain of a developing fetus. Some studies suggest that the organizational effects of PAE may extend to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress. This study investigates the relationship between 2D:4D ratio and HPA axis functioning using a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) model. Subjects were N = 268 (180 females, 88 males) rhesus monkey infants (3–4 months of age). Plasma cortisol concentrations were assayed from two blood samples obtained during a 25-h experimental social separation stressor at 2- and 7-h post-separation. Subjects’ 2D:4D ratio was measured later in life (Mage = 6.70 years). It was hypothesized that infant rhesus monkeys that exhibited a more masculine-like 2D:4D ratio would show lower levels of circulating cortisol after a social separation and relocation stressor. The results showed that there was a sex difference in the left-hand 2D:4D ratio. The results also showed that there was an overall sex difference in cortisol concentrations and that female, but not male, monkeys that exhibited a more masculine-like right- and left-hand 2D:4D ratio exhibited lower mean stress-induced cortisol concentrations early in life. These findings suggest that higher levels of prenatal androgens in females, as measured by 2D:4D ratio, may be related to an attenuated HPA axis stress-response, as measured by plasma cortisol levels. To the extent that these findings generalize to humans, they suggest that the organizational effects of PAE extend to the infant HPA axis, modulating the HPA axis response, particularly in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Wood
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Parker Jarman
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Elysha Cash
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Alexander Baxter
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC), Davis, CA, United States
| | - John P Capitanio
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.,California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC), Davis, CA, United States
| | - J Dee Higley
- Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
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3
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Vandeleest JJ, Winkler SL, Beisner BA, Hannibal DL, Atwill ER, McCowan B. Sex differences in the impact of social status on hair cortisol concentrations in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Am J Primatol 2020; 82:e23086. [PMID: 31876328 PMCID: PMC6980377 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Social status impacts stress in primates, but the direction of the effect differs depending on species, social style, and group stability. This complicates our ability to identify broadly applicable principles for understanding how social status impacts health and fitness. One reason for this is the fact that social status is often measured as linear dominance rank, yet social status is more complex than simply high or low rank. Additionally, most research on social status and health ignores the effects of sex and sex-specific relationships, despite known differences in disease risk, coping strategies, and opposite-sex dominance interactions between males and females in many species. We examine the influence of social status, sex, and opposite-sex interactions on hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in a well-studied species, rhesus macaques, where the literature predicts low ranking individuals would experience more chronic stress. Animals in three captive, seminaturalistic social groups (N = 252; 71 male) were observed for 6 weeks to obtain metrics of social status (rank and dominance certainty [DC]). DC is a measure of one's fit within the hierarchy. Hair samples were collected from each subject and analyzed for HCC. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine (a) whether rank, DC, or sex predicted HCC; (b) whether same- or opposite-sex dominance relationships differentially impacted HCC; and (c) whether aggressive interactions initiated or received could explain any observed relationships. Results indicated that DC, not rank, predicted HCC in a sex-specific manner. For males, high HCC were predicted by receiving aggression from or having high DC with other males as well as having low DC with females. For females, only high DC with males predicted high HCC. These results likely relate to sex-specific life history pattern differences in inherited versus earned rank that are tied to female philopatry and male immigration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Vandeleest
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Sasha L Winkler
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
- Department of Anthropology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Brianne A Beisner
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Darcy L Hannibal
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Edward R Atwill
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Brenda McCowan
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California Davis, Davis, California
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Uehling JJ, Taff CC, Winkler DW, Vitousek MN. Developmental temperature predicts the adult response to stressors in a free‐living passerine. J Anim Ecol 2019; 89:842-854. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J. Uehling
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca New York
| | - Conor C. Taff
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca New York
| | - David W. Winkler
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca New York
- Cellular Tracking Technologies Rio Grande New Jersey
- Conservation Science Global West Cape May New Jersey
| | - Maren N. Vitousek
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Cornell University Ithaca New York
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca New York
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Vandeleest J, Capitanio J, Hamel A, Meyer J, Novak M, Mendoza S, McCowan B. Social stability influences the association between adrenal responsiveness and hair cortisol concentrations in rhesus macaques. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 100:164-171. [PMID: 30342315 PMCID: PMC6333515 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hair cortisol concentrations are increasingly being used in both humans and nonhuman animals as a biomarker of chronic stress. However, many details regarding how hair cortisol concentrations relate to the dynamic activity and regulation of the HPA axis are still unknown. The current study explores 1) how the regulation of the HPA axis in infancy relates to hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in infancy 2) whether this relationship persists into adulthood under conditions of social stability, and 3) how social instability impacts these relationships. All subjects were rhesus monkeys housed in large social groups at the California National Primate Research Center, and all had participated in a 25-hr. long BioBehavioral Assessment (BBA) at 3-4 months of age when four plasma samples were taken to assess HPA regulation, in particular cortisol responses to 1) 2-hour social separation and relocation, 2) sustained challenge, 3) dexamethasone and 4) ACTH administration. In Study 1, hair samples were collected at the end of the BBA testing from 25 infant rhesus monkeys from 2 different stable social groups. In Study 2, hair samples were obtained at three timepoints from 108 adults from 3 different stable social groups (1 in the Spring/Summer and 2 in the Fall/Winter) to examine the temporal stability of the relationship between HCC and HPA axis regulation. In Study 3, subjects included 31 infants and 33 adults from a single social group experiencing social instability following the same procedures as in Studies 1 and 2. Generalized linear models were used to determine if infants' HPA axis activity and regulation predicted HCC in infancy (Study 1), in adulthood with animals living in stable social conditions (Study 2) or in animals living in an unstable social group (Study 3). Results indicated that for both infants and adults living in stable social groups, HCC are associated with the adrenal response to ACTH in infancy. Samples collected in the winter also had higher HCC than those collected in summer. In the unstable social group, adult hair cortisol levels were higher than in the stable social groups. Additionally, there were no consistent relationships between HCC and infant HPA axis regulation among adults or infants living in a group experiencing social instability. These results suggest that the aspects of the HPA axis that drive HCC may differ depending on context. Under stable, non-stressed conditions there seems to be a trait-like association between adrenal responsivity and HCC in infancy and adulthood. However, this association may be reduced or eliminated under conditions of social stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.J. Vandeleest
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA,Corresponding author: California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 956167, USA, Phone: 1-530-752-1506, Fax: 1-530-752-2880,
| | - J.P. Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - A. Hamel
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, 441 Tobin Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003 USA
| | - J. Meyer
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, 441 Tobin Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003 USA
| | - M. Novak
- Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, 441 Tobin Hall, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003 USA
| | - S.P. Mendoza
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - B McCowan
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA,Department of Population Health & Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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6
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Walker CK, VandeVoort CA, Li CS, Chaffin CL, Capitanio JP. Adiposity and weight gain during pregnancy associate independently with behavior of infant rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Dev Psychobiol 2018; 60:629-638. [PMID: 29900528 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence identifies maternal adiposity as a potentially modifiable risk factor for adverse neurodevelopment. This retrospective cohort analysis examined whether maternal prepregnancy adiposity and gestational weight gain were associated with behavioral outcomes in 173 rhesus macaque infants at the California National Primate Research Center. Dams conceived indoors, had uncomplicated pregnancies, delivered vaginally, and reared infants indoors. Infants underwent standardized biobehavioral analysis at 90-120 days of age from 3/2001-5/2015. Offspring of mothers with greater baseline adiposity or gestational weight gain exhibited a pattern of poor adaptability characterized by greater emotionality as the assessments proceeded, blunted affective response to a human intruder challenge, and reduced interest in novel stimuli which is associated with poorer social functioning later in life. They also had lower cortisol levels following dexamethasone suppression, perhaps a response to cortisol excess during gestation. These results amplify growing public health concerns implicating maternal adiposity in impaired fetal neurobehavioral programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl K Walker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.,Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California, Davis, California.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Catherine A VandeVoort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California.,California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Chin-Shang Li
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Charles L Chaffin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - John P Capitanio
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California.,Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California
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Hannibal DL, Cassidy LC, Vandeleest J, Semple S, Barnard A, Chun K, Winkler S, McCowan B. Intermittent pair-housing, pair relationship qualities, and HPA activity in adult female rhesus macaques. Am J Primatol 2018; 80:e22762. [PMID: 29722048 PMCID: PMC8765352 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Laboratory rhesus macaques are often housed in pairs and may be temporarily or permanently separated for research, health, or management reasons. While both long-term social separations and introductions can stimulate a stress response that impacts inflammation and immune function, the effects of short-term overnight separations and whether qualities of the pair relationship mediate these effects are unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of overnight separations on the urinary cortisol concentration of 20 differentially paired adult female rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at the California National Primate Research Center. These females were initially kept in either continuous (no overnight separation) or intermittent (with overnight separation) pair-housing and then switched to the alternate pair-housing condition part way through the study. Each study subject was observed for 5 weeks, during which we collected measures of affiliative, aggressive, anxious, abnormal, and activity-state behaviors in both pair-housing conditions. Additionally, up to three urine samples were collected from each subject per week and assayed for urinary free cortisol and creatinine. Lastly, the behavioral observer scored each pair on four relationship quality attributes ("Anxious," "Tense," "Well-meshed," and "Friendly") using a seven-point scale. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model with gamma distribution and an information theoretic approach to determine the best model set. An interaction between the intermittent pairing condition and tense pair adjective rating was in the top three models of the best model set. Dominance and rates of affiliation were also important for explaining urinary cortisol variation. Our results suggest that to prevent significant changes in HPA-axis activation in rhesus macaque females, which could have unintended effects on research outcomes, pairs with "Tense" relationships and overnight separations preventing tactile contact should be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcy L Hannibal
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Lauren C Cassidy
- Welfare and Cognition Group, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jessica Vandeleest
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Stuart Semple
- Centre for Research in Evolutionary, Social and Interdisciplinary Anthropology, University of Roehampton, London, United Kingdom
| | - Allison Barnard
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Katie Chun
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Sasha Winkler
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Brenda McCowan
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California Davis, Davis, California
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8
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Golub MS, Hogrefe CE. Fetal iron deficiency and genotype influence emotionality in infant rhesus monkeys. J Nutr 2015; 145:647-53. [PMID: 25733484 PMCID: PMC4336538 DOI: 10.3945/jn.114.201798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anemia during the third trimester of fetal development affects one-third of the pregnancies in the United States and has been associated with postnatal behavioral outcomes. This study examines how fetal iron deficiency (ID) interacts with the fetal monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) genotype. MAOA metabolizes monoamine neurotransmitters. MAOA polymorphisms in humans affect temperament and modify the influence of early adverse environments on later behavior. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to advance translation of developmental ID research in animal models by taking into account genetic factors that influence outcomes in human populations. METHODS Male infant rhesus monkeys 3-4 mo old born to mothers fed an ID (10 ppm iron) diet were compared with controls (100 ppm iron). Infant monkeys with high- or low-transcription rate MAOA polymorphisms were equally distributed between diet groups. Behavioral responses to a series of structured experiences were recorded during a 25-h separation of the infants from their mothers. RESULTS Infant monkeys with low-transcription MAOA polymorphisms more clearly demonstrated the following ID effects suggested in earlier studies: a 4% smaller head circumference, a 39% lower cortisol response to social separation, a 129% longer engagement with novel visual stimuli, and 33% lesser withdrawal in response to a human intruder. The high MAOA genotype ID monkeys demonstrated other ID effects: less withdrawal and emotionality after social separation and lower "fearful" ratings. CONCLUSION MAOA × ID interactions support the role of monoamine neurotransmitters in prenatal ID effects in rhesus monkeys and the potential involvement of common human polymorphisms in determining the pattern of neurobehavioral effects produced by inadequate prenatal nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Casey E Hogrefe
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA
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