Social and reproductive influences on plasma cortisol in female marmoset monkeys

摘要: Subordinate female common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) undergo ovulation suppression and exhibit low plasma cortisol levels compared to the dominant, breeding female. To determine whether this difference is mediated by differential reproductive consequences of social status, we monitored progesterone in 32 adult while they were housed heterosexual pairs, during first 3 days group formation, animals established groups. Cortisol prior formation significantly higher females exhibiting cyclic ovulatory activity than anovulatory but not predictive status. Subsequently, when groups, dominant (cyclic) had did subordinate (anovulatory) females. differed between pre postgroup conditions only that underwent a corresponding onset or termination cyclicity. differences therefore appear be associated with function rather status per se.