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Dryad

Sex-specific endocrine regulation of seasonal aggression in Siberian hamsters

Cite this dataset

Munley, Kathleen; Trinidad, Jonathan; Demas, Gregory (2022). Sex-specific endocrine regulation of seasonal aggression in Siberian hamsters [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.70rxwdc0p

Abstract

Coordinating physiological and behavioural processes across the annual cycle is essential in enabling individuals to maximize fitness. While the mechanisms underlying seasonal reproduction and its associated behaviours are well-characterized, fewer studies have examined the hormonal basis of non-reproductive social behaviours (e.g., aggression) on a seasonal timescale. Our previous work suggests that the pineal hormone melatonin facilitates a ‘seasonal switch’ in neuroendocrine regulation of aggression in male and female Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus), specifically by acting on the adrenal glands to increase the production of the androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) during the short-day (SD) photoperiods of the non-breeding season. Here, we provide evidence that the activity of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/∆5-∆4 isomerase (3β-HSD), a key enzyme within the steroidogenic pathway that mediates DHEA synthesis and metabolism, varies in a sex-specific and melatonin-dependent manner. Although both male and female hamsters displayed increased aggression in response to SDs and SD-like melatonin, only males showed an increase in adrenal 3β-HSD activity. Conversely, SD and melatonin-treated females exhibited reductions in both adrenal and neural 3β-HSD activity. Collectively, these results suggest a potential role for 3β-HSD in modulating non-breeding aggression and, more broadly, demonstrate how distinct neuroendocrine mechanisms may underlie the same behavioural phenotype in males and females.

Funding

National Institute of Mental Health, Award: R21MH109942

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Award: T32HD049336

National Science Foundation, Award: IOS-1656414

Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute

Indiana University

Indiana University