Androgens, progestagens and agonistic behaviour: a review

The relationship between androgens, progestagens and agonistic behaviour is reviewed. Most literature concerned the effects of hormones on aggression; little information was available on hormonal influences on fear. Difference in aggression levels between males and females may be explained by assumi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Veterinary quarterly Vol. 11; no. 2; p. 94
Main Authors Knol, B.W. (Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht (Netherlands). Faculteit der Diergeneeskunde, Kliniek voor Kleine Huisdieren), Egberink-Alink, S.T
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.04.1989
Subjects
Aggression - drug effects
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR
Agonistic Behavior - drug effects
Agonistic Behavior - physiology
ANDROGENE
ANDROGENOS
ANDROGENS
Androgens - pharmacology
Androgens - physiology
Animals
COMPORTAMIENTO AGRESIVO
COMPORTEMENT AGRESSIF
Female
HORMONAS SEXUALES
HORMONE SEXUELLE
Male
Progestins - pharmacology
Progestins - physiology
SEX HORMONES
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:The relationship between androgens, progestagens and agonistic behaviour is reviewed. Most literature concerned the effects of hormones on aggression; little information was available on hormonal influences on fear. Difference in aggression levels between males and females may be explained by assuming the existence of a gender difference in motivation, which, among other factors, is controlled by androgen and progestagen levels in peripheral blood. Androgens and progestagens are metabolised mainly by 5 alpha-reductase in the target organs. In the brain, aromatisation of testosterone also plays a role. The metabolites of testosterone may exert the same organising and activating influence as testosterone on juvenile and adult brain tissue, respectively. In some animal species testosterone secretion appears to be influenced by social and environmental variables. Conversely, alterations in plasma androgen levels have been found to affect behaviour. Dominant and/or aggressive individuals tend to show higher plasma testosterone levels than submissive and/or less aggressive animals. Among other mechanisms, competitive inhibition of androgen action at a central level, by progestagens acting as antagonists of androgens, may be important.
Bibliography:9002063
L20
L53
ISSN:0165-2176
1875-5941
DOI:10.1080/01652176.1989.9694205