Interaction effects of corticosterone and experience on aggressive behavior in the green anole lizard.

摘要: Aggressive encounters are accompanied by a release of stress hormone, and this corticosterone (CORT) secretion could influence aggressive behavior in subsequent encounters. We investigated the modulating effects CORT on context 5-day social experience male green anole lizards. In Experiment 1, we measured plasma levels animals that were exposed for different times to males. 2, using metyrapone, synthesis blocker, tested whether response stimulus plays role experience-dependent facilitation behavior. hypothesized would increase levels, blocking with metyrapone treatment during encounter cause an animal become more aggressive. also interfere animals' encounter. Animals another showed higher immediately after 10 min than non-social video, high level was maintained through day 5. Within video groups, there distinctly pattern displays depending drug condition: vehicle-injected gradual increases followed decreases behavioral responses as five days proceeded (habituation), while injected started out did not decrease at later trials (no habituation). Finally, when novel conspecific 6, previously no aggression vehicle video. These results suggest exposure induced remain toward repetitive without habituating, becoming controls challenger.