Effects of Aggressive Behavior on the Adrenal Cortex in Male Laboratory Mice

Abstract

Grouped laboratory mice (Mus musculus) show higher adrenocortical function than isolates, and this is usually attributed to the occurrence of aggressive behavior in such groups. the present experiment compares the effects of controlled bouts of fighting on adrenocortical function in trained fighter and defeated male mice. the results revealed increased adrenal function (compared with isolated controls) only in the latter condition; it is therefore concluded that success in aggressive encounters, in contrast to defeat, does not contribute to the increased adrenocortical function found in grouped mice.