Research on Primate Endocrinology

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 4719

Special Issue Editor

Chercheur, Directeur de Recherche, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon Inserm U1028-CNRS UMR5292 Bâtiment Inserm 16 Avenue Doyen Lépine, 69676 Bron CEDEX, France
Interests: behavioral neuroscience; neuroeducation; neuroimaging; neurophysiology; neuropharmacology; learning and memory; executive functions, social cognition, emotions, comparative cognition; nonhuman primate models; children; adolescents

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great pleasure that we introduce the Special Issue “Research on Primate Endocrinology”. In the past decades, endocrine studies focusing on nonhuman primates have helped us understand the evolution of primate societies, behavioral ecology, reproductive fitness and physiology. Considering the important role of hormones as mediators of primate behavior and physiology, this Special Issue aims to advance our knowledge on endocrine techniques and their applications to studies on human evolution, conservation and welfare. We call for original research papers that investigate the relationship between hormones and development, behavior, reproduction, stress, energetics and senescence in nonhuman primates. Innovative approaches and novel methods to measure hormones, neurotransmitters and proteins are of particular interest.

Dr. Martine Meunier
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • primatology
  • hormones
  • behavior
  • reproduction
  • welfare
  • evolution

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1341 KiB  
Article
Measurement of Salivary Cortisol in Two New World Primate Species
by Martina Stocker, Eoin P. O’Sullivan, Rupert Palme, Eva Millesi and Ruth Sonnweber
Biology 2023, 12(9), 1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12091181 - 29 Aug 2023
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Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are mammalian steroid hormones involved in a variety of physiological processes, including metabolism, the immune response, and cardiovascular functions. Due to their link to the physiological stress response, GC measurement is a valuable tool for conservation and welfare assessment in animal [...] Read more.
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are mammalian steroid hormones involved in a variety of physiological processes, including metabolism, the immune response, and cardiovascular functions. Due to their link to the physiological stress response, GC measurement is a valuable tool for conservation and welfare assessment in animal populations. GC levels can be measured from different matrices, such as urine and feces. Moreover, especially in captive settings, measuring GCs from saliva samples proved particularly useful as those samples can be collected non-invasively and easily from trained animals. Salivary GC levels can be measured using a variety of analytical methods, such as enzyme immunoassays. However, it is crucial to validate the analytical method for each specific application and species when using a new matrix. Using high-pressure liquid chromatography and a cortisol enzyme immunoassay, we show that the main glucocorticoids secreted in the saliva of squirrel monkeys and brown capuchin monkeys are cortisol and cortisone. Our biological validation found the expected salivary cortisol level to decline throughout the day. Our findings support the reliability of salivary cortisol measurements and their potential to be used as a valid tool in research and welfare assessment for these non-human primates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Primate Endocrinology)
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14 pages, 1177 KiB  
Article
Testing the Challenge Hypothesis in Stumptail Macaque Males: The Role of Testosterone and Glucocorticoid Metabolites in Aggressive and Mating Behavior
by Ana Lilia Cerda-Molina, Javier I. Borráz-León, Gilberto Matamoros-Trejo, Claudio de la O, Gema R. Estudillo-Mendoza, Lilian Mayagoitia-Novales and Dario Maestripieri
Biology 2023, 12(6), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12060813 - 03 Jun 2023
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Abstract
The “challenge hypothesis” predicts higher male–male aggressive behavior along with increases in testosterone levels during times of reproductive challenges and social instability. In addition, in some primate species, higher glucocorticoid levels can be observed as well, but this is usually modulated by dominance [...] Read more.
The “challenge hypothesis” predicts higher male–male aggressive behavior along with increases in testosterone levels during times of reproductive challenges and social instability. In addition, in some primate species, higher glucocorticoid levels can be observed as well, but this is usually modulated by dominance rank. We studied rank-related aggressive behavior, mating activity, and fecal testosterone and glucocorticoid metabolites (fTm and fGCm) in male stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides) in order to test some predictions of the “challenge hypothesis”. Over a 20-month period, we collected data on aggressive behavior and copulation, as well as fecal samples (n = 700) to quantify fTm and fGCm in seven adult stumptail males living in captivity. During periods of mating activity, male-to-male aggression increased in higher- and middle-ranking males. Neither fTm nor fGCm levels predicted male-to-male aggression. fGCm levels (but not fTm) were positively associated with male-to-female aggression; however, this association was pronounced during periods of mating activity. fGCm levels differed according to social rank, with middle-ranking males having the highest levels. Both hormones were higher during periods of mating activity, but only in higher- and middle-ranking males. Taken together, our findings partially support the challenge hypothesis in a non-seasonal primate and shed some light on the unique social and mating system of the stumptail macaque. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Primate Endocrinology)
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16 pages, 822 KiB  
Systematic Review
Long-Tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) Contraception Methods: A Systematic Review
by Muhammed Mikail, Tengku Rinalfi Putra Tengku Azizan, Mohd Hezmee Mohd Noor, Hasliza Abu Hassim, Azlan Che’Amat and Mohd Qayyum Ab Latip
Biology 2023, 12(6), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12060848 - 13 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1639
Abstract
The contraception-based approach to wildlife management is a humane and effective alternative to population control methods. Wildlife management only has a few conventional ways to control overpopulation, such as culling, translocation, poisoning, and allowing natural death. Nevertheless, these methods usually have short-term, lethal, [...] Read more.
The contraception-based approach to wildlife management is a humane and effective alternative to population control methods. Wildlife management only has a few conventional ways to control overpopulation, such as culling, translocation, poisoning, and allowing natural death. Nevertheless, these methods usually have short-term, lethal, and unethical effects. The present systematic review aims to review the knowledge on contraception reported in long-tailed macaques as an alternative to population control. We obtained 719 records from searching CABI, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus electronic databases. After the screening and selection process, according to PRISMA guidelines, 19 articles that met the eligibility criteria were chosen. Of the 19 articles, 15 were studies on female long-tailed macaque contraception methods (six (6) hormonal and nine (9) non-hormonal). We analyzed four (4) selected articles on male Cynomolgus monkey contraception methods (two (2) hormonal and two (2) non-hormonal). One of the nine (9) articles on female long-tailed macaque contraception reports negative results. Furthermore, only two (2) studies used free-ranging long-tailed macaques as test subjects, while seventeen (17) tested on captive ones. The challenges of long-tailed macaque contraception identified in this review were the effectiveness of the contraceptive, the administration route, the economic feasibility, the distinction between captive and free-ranging Cynomolgus macaques, the choice of permanent or reversible contraception, the capability of contraceptive use for population control, and the lack of studies on the free-ranging long-tailed macaque. Notwithstanding the literature gap on long-tailed macaque contraception for population control, long-tailed macaque contraception exhibits potential as an alternative method to culling long-tailed macaque. Future research should address these obstacles to support the long-tailed macaque contraception as an alternative population control method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Primate Endocrinology)
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