Redirected aggression and gonadal hormones in captive rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta)

Abstract

Threat behaviour characterized by being directed away from the sexual partner has been described in five oppositely-sexed pairs of adult rhesus monkeys. It was established that threateningaway did not occur in response to any external, environment stimulus, but did vary with the sexual activity of the pair. When male sexual interest in the female was high, male threateningaway was more frequent and intense. Threatening-away by females increased when female receptivity was increased either by subcutaneous injections or by brain implants of oestrogen. When female receptivity was reduced by progesterone administration, female threateningaway also declined. It is argued that threateningaway behaviour is redirected aggression and functions to consolidate the bonds between sexual partners.