Hormonal and behavioral responses to stress in lactating and non-lactating female common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR

卷:104

Article

Saltzman, Wendy^1,2  Abbott, David H.^2,3 

[1] Univ Calif Riverside, Dept Biol, Riverside, CA 92521 USA

[2] Univ Wisconsin, Natl Primate Res Ctr, Madison, WI 53715 USA

[3] Univ Wisconsin, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, Madison, WI 53715 USA

关键词: Adrenocorticotropic hormone;    Cortisol;    Lactation;    Maternal care;    Parental care;    Stress;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.05.005

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

In several mammalian species, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and behavioral responses to stressors are down-regulated in lactating females, possibly preventing stress-induced disruptions of maternal care. Experimental elevations of HPA axis hormones have been found to inhibit maternal behavior in lactating common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus), raising the question of whether lactating female marmosets also have blunted endogenous responses to stress. Therefore, we compared HPA and behavioral responses to standardized stressors in reproductively experienced female common marmosets that were undergoing ovulatory cycles and that either were (N = 7) or were not lactating (N = 8). Each marmoset underwent (1) a restraint stressor during the early follicular phase of the ovarian cycle (approximately 5 weeks postpartum for lactating females) and (2) exposure to a simulated hawk predator during the early to mid-luteal phase (approximately 7 weeks postpartum for lactating females). Lactating females were tested in the presence of one of their infants. Blood samples were collected before, during, and immediately after each test for determination of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol concentrations. Both stressors caused significant elevations in plasma ACTH and cortisol levels, and significant decreases in cortisol:ACTH ratios; however, lactating and non-lactating females showed no significant differences in their endocrine or behavioral responses to either stressor, or in baseline ACTH or cortisol levels. These findings suggest that in contrast to several other mammalian species, lactating female marmosets maintain full behavioral and HPA responsiveness to stress, at least in the presence of their infants. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

【 授权许可】

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