The role of androgens in the mediation of seasonal territorial aggression in male Siberian hamsters ( Phodopus sungorus)

Abstract

Testosterone (T) mediates aggression in a wide range of species. In some species, however, aggressive behavior persists or increases during the non-breeding season when T levels are relatively low. Animals that do not display a positive correlation between aggression and gonadal steroids suggest the need for further investigation of alternative neuroendocrine mechanisms mediating seasonal aggression. Siberian hamsters ( Phodopus sungorus) are an ideal study system because they display increased territorial aggression during the non-breeding season which may be independent of circulating T levels. The goals of the present study were to: 1) explore the role of T in the aggression of reproductive males, and 2) test the hypothesis that the adrenal steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) acts as an endocrine regulator of seasonal aggression. In Experiment 1, individuals were housed in long day (breeding) photoperiod and received castrations, exogenous T capsules or both manipulations. In Experiment 2, animals were housed in either long or short days (non-breeding) photoperiod and received DHEA or empty capsules. In both experiments, serum hormone levels and aggressive behavior were assessed. In Experiment 1, castration did not reduce aggression whereas exogenous T actually inhibited aggressive behavior. In Experiment 2, short-day individuals were more aggressive than long-day animals but DHEA treatment did not affect aggressive behavior, regardless of photoperiod. The present study supports the hypothesis that circulating gonadal steroids are not necessary to activate aggressive behavior in adult male hamsters. Further, seasonal changes in territorial aggression appear independent of circulating levels of DHEA in Siberian hamsters.