Urinary androgen and corticoid levels in captive, male Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla): Age- and social group-related differences

摘要: Urinary androgen and corticoid levels were measured for 52 captive male Western lowland gorillas to examine age-related variance potential differences resulting from various social situations. Significant diurnal variation was present in both hormones. Age-related androgens revealed that males experienced two stages of increase one stage decrease: increases occurred juvenile (less than 10 yr age) subadult (between 10-13 yr) young adult (14-20 yr), whereas decreases (> 20 yr). varied depending on the time day, but morning corticoids greatest males, followed by males. The type grouping associated with levels, as animals housed socially (in either a heterosexual or all-male group) had similar solitary showed greater their socially-housed counterparts. increased solitary-housed suggest this management strategy might not be optimal, although more data are needed. Additionally, significantly may challenges, thus zoos need consider increasing flexibility current practices respect