Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting 6–13 % of women of reproductive age, with a significant proportion remaining undiagnosed. Characterized by hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularities, and ovarian dysfunction, PCOS has extensive dermatological and metabolic implications, often contributing to adverse mental health outcomes. While depression and anxiety are commonly reported, distinguishing their etiology from obesity's frequent comorbidity with PCOS remains challenging. Emerging evidence suggests that hyperandrogenism may also influence the prevalence of schizophrenia, eating disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prenatal androgen exposure has been implicated in neurodevelopmental alterations, with recent studies linking maternal PCOS to an increased risk of ASD in offspring. Structural brain differences, including white matter alterations, have also been observed in affected individuals. This review explores the intricate interplay between PCOS, metabolic dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric outcomes, emphasizing the need for further investigation into its neurodevelopmental and psychiatric implications. Additionally, we will explore the relationships between hormonal interplay and ASD, further elucidating the role of endocrine dysregulation in neurodevelopment.
{"title":"Polycystic ovary syndrome: Unveiling the multifaceted contributors, mechanisms, and psychological impacts","authors":"Prerna Bhati , Prakash Haloi , Kavita Munjal , Havagiray R. Chitme","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105844","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105844","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting 6–13 % of women of reproductive age, with a significant proportion remaining undiagnosed. Characterized by hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularities, and ovarian dysfunction, PCOS has extensive dermatological and metabolic implications, often contributing to adverse mental health outcomes. While depression and anxiety are commonly reported, distinguishing their etiology from obesity's frequent comorbidity with PCOS remains challenging. Emerging evidence suggests that hyperandrogenism may also influence the prevalence of schizophrenia, eating disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prenatal androgen exposure has been implicated in neurodevelopmental alterations, with recent studies linking maternal PCOS to an increased risk of ASD in offspring. Structural brain differences, including white matter alterations, have also been observed in affected individuals. This review explores the intricate interplay between PCOS, metabolic dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric outcomes, emphasizing the need for further investigation into its neurodevelopmental and psychiatric implications. Additionally, we will explore the relationships between hormonal interplay and ASD, further elucidating the role of endocrine dysregulation in neurodevelopment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105844"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145400655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105846
Fátima Álvarez , Estrella Veiga-Zarza , Uxía Fernández-Folgueiras , Miguel Pita , Dominique Kessel , Luis Carretié
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is characterized by its high incidence and the presence of negative emotional symptoms during the luteal phase. While various studies suggest that the menstrual cycle affects emotional processing, the role of PMS has barely been investigated. Prior evidence suggests that the menstrual cycle does not modulate the attentional capture by emotional faces. Building on this, the present study explores whether PMS may influence this process. To this end, forty-seven women performed an attentional capture task during both phases of the menstrual cycle, with emotional faces serving as distractors. Both behavioral performance and Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Additionally, premenstrual symptoms were monitored over two menstrual cycles. Results showed no significant interaction effect of PMS, either at the behavioral or ERP levels. However, emotional stimuli, particularly angry faces, consistently captured attention more than neutral ones, as reflected in enhanced P1 and N170 components. These results indicate no evidence that PMS modulates exogenous attention to emotional stimuli. Future studies should consider individual affective states, such as depressive and anxiety symptoms associated with PMS, rather than PMS as a category, to further investigate the potential effects of PMS on attentional capture.
{"title":"Influence of premenstrual syndrome on attentional capture by expressions in the luteal phase","authors":"Fátima Álvarez , Estrella Veiga-Zarza , Uxía Fernández-Folgueiras , Miguel Pita , Dominique Kessel , Luis Carretié","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105846","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105846","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is characterized by its high incidence and the presence of negative emotional symptoms during the luteal phase. While various studies suggest that the menstrual cycle affects emotional processing, the role of PMS has barely been investigated. Prior evidence suggests that the menstrual cycle does not modulate the attentional capture by emotional faces. Building on this, the present study explores whether PMS may influence this process. To this end, forty-seven women performed an attentional capture task during both phases of the menstrual cycle, with emotional faces serving as distractors. Both behavioral performance and Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Additionally, premenstrual symptoms were monitored over two menstrual cycles. Results showed no significant interaction effect of PMS, either at the behavioral or ERP levels. However, emotional stimuli, particularly angry faces, consistently captured attention more than neutral ones, as reflected in enhanced P1 and N170 components. These results indicate no evidence that PMS modulates exogenous attention to emotional stimuli. Future studies should consider individual affective states, such as depressive and anxiety symptoms associated with PMS, rather than PMS as a category, to further investigate the potential effects of PMS on attentional capture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105846"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145421556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105847
J.M. Lacasse , B.C. Fletcher , S.H. Murray , M. Pasetto-Patrick , A.C. Sheehan , C. Trujano , L.A.M. Galea , C.M. McCormick
Hormonal contraceptives (HCs), particularly those containing ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG), are widely used, yet their effects on adolescent brain and behaviour remain underexplored. Here, we investigated the effects of EE and LNG on anxiety-like and social behaviours in adolescent and adult female rats, and whether social instability stress (SS) exacerbates these effects. We predicted that adolescents may be more susceptible to the effects of HCs and SS than adults, given ongoing brain development in adolescence. Sixty-four adolescent (postnatal day (PND) 22) and 64 adult (PND62) gonadally-intact female Long-Evans rats were randomized to SS or control groups, and then to HC (10 μg/kg EE, 20 μg/kg LNG) or vehicle treatment daily for 16 days. Behavioural assessments (elevated plus maze, social interaction test, operant social reward) took place during the last six days of treatment. HC treatment reduced open-arm entries overall. For time on the open arms, there was an age-by-stress-by-treatment interaction: SS adolescent rats displayed more anxiety-like behaviour compared to SS adult rats in those treated with vehicle. For social interaction there was a stress-by-treatment interaction such that in controls, HC reduced interaction; in vehicle-treated rats, SS reduced interaction. Across ages, HC increased sensitivity to and motivation for social reward; adolescents showed higher overall social reward than adults. This study provides novel insights into the interaction of exogenous hormones and social stress on brain-behaviour relationships at different stages of development.
{"title":"Contraceptive hormones and social instability stress in adolescence and in adulthood: Effects on anxiety and social behaviour","authors":"J.M. Lacasse , B.C. Fletcher , S.H. Murray , M. Pasetto-Patrick , A.C. Sheehan , C. Trujano , L.A.M. Galea , C.M. McCormick","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105847","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105847","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hormonal contraceptives (HCs), particularly those containing ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LNG), are widely used, yet their effects on adolescent brain and behaviour remain underexplored. Here, we investigated the effects of EE and LNG on anxiety-like and social behaviours in adolescent and adult female rats, and whether social instability stress (SS) exacerbates these effects. We predicted that adolescents may be more susceptible to the effects of HCs and SS than adults, given ongoing brain development in adolescence. Sixty-four adolescent (postnatal day (PND) 22) and 64 adult (PND62) gonadally-intact female Long-Evans rats were randomized to SS or control groups, and then to HC (10 μg/kg EE, 20 μg/kg LNG) or vehicle treatment daily for 16 days. Behavioural assessments (elevated plus maze, social interaction test, operant social reward) took place during the last six days of treatment. HC treatment reduced open-arm entries overall. For time on the open arms, there was an age-by-stress-by-treatment interaction: SS adolescent rats displayed more anxiety-like behaviour compared to SS adult rats in those treated with vehicle. For social interaction there was a stress-by-treatment interaction such that in controls, HC reduced interaction; in vehicle-treated rats, SS reduced interaction. Across ages, HC increased sensitivity to and motivation for social reward; adolescents showed higher overall social reward than adults. This study provides novel insights into the interaction of exogenous hormones and social stress on brain-behaviour relationships at different stages of development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105847"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145451751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105848
Cheryl M. McCormick , Justin M. Carré
{"title":"Editorial: The most common mistake involving the use of correlations","authors":"Cheryl M. McCormick , Justin M. Carré","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105848","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105848","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105848"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145476899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In biparental species, reproductive success is influenced by the quality of the parents, the care each provides, environmental factors, and the cooperation between parents in sharing reproductive tasks. Hormones like corticosterone, which modulate physiological and behavioural functions associated with reproductive success, likely play a critical role in reproductive success through hormonal compatibility between breeding partners. Here, we investigate how similarity or dissimilarity in corticosterone levels between barn owl (Tyto alba) breeding partners are related to reproductive success. Using data from 2004 to 2018, we analyzed baseline and stress-induced corticosterone to explore correlations between partners' corticosterone levels and their association with key fitness parameters including clutch size, offspring number, and rearing success. We found that while partners' corticosterone levels do not predict clutch size, they are a significant predictor of offspring number and rearing success. Pairs with dissimilar baseline and stress-induced corticosterone produced more fledglings than pairs with similar corticosterone levels. To evaluate the potential advantage or disadvantage of growing up in large broods, we further examined the effect of brood size on offspring quality and survival. Nestlings from smaller broods had better body condition than those from larger broods, and individuals with better condition were more likely to survive their first year. These findings suggest that barn owl reproductive success is influenced by the combined corticosterone profiles of both parents and indicate a potential trade-off between offspring quantity and quality. This study highlights the importance of considering both parents' hormonal profiles when evaluating corticosterone's role in reproduction among biparental species.
{"title":"Glucocorticoid correlation between barn owl (Tyto alba) breeding partners and its association with reproductive success","authors":"Paul Béziers , Lukas Jenni , Alexandre Roulin , Bettina Almasi","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105842","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105842","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In biparental species, reproductive success is influenced by the quality of the parents, the care each provides, environmental factors, and the cooperation between parents in sharing reproductive tasks. Hormones like corticosterone, which modulate physiological and behavioural functions associated with reproductive success, likely play a critical role in reproductive success through hormonal compatibility between breeding partners. Here, we investigate how similarity or dissimilarity in corticosterone levels between barn owl (<em>Tyto alba</em>) breeding partners are related to reproductive success. Using data from 2004 to 2018, we analyzed baseline and stress-induced corticosterone to explore correlations between partners' corticosterone levels and their association with key fitness parameters including clutch size, offspring number, and rearing success. We found that while partners' corticosterone levels do not predict clutch size, they are a significant predictor of offspring number and rearing success. Pairs with dissimilar baseline and stress-induced corticosterone produced more fledglings than pairs with similar corticosterone levels. To evaluate the potential advantage or disadvantage of growing up in large broods, we further examined the effect of brood size on offspring quality and survival. Nestlings from smaller broods had better body condition than those from larger broods, and individuals with better condition were more likely to survive their first year. These findings suggest that barn owl reproductive success is influenced by the combined corticosterone profiles of both parents and indicate a potential trade-off between offspring quantity and quality. This study highlights the importance of considering both parents' hormonal profiles when evaluating corticosterone's role in reproduction among biparental species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105842"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145354649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-20DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105843
Ann-Christin S. Kimmig , Lieve Thecla van Egmond , Birgit Derntl
Oral contraceptive (OC) intake has been linked to reduced emotion recognition, particularly for negative emotions, though cross-sectional findings are inconclusive. Differences in the androgenicity of OC formulations may partly explain these inconsistencies. This study examined the association of OC initiation or discontinuation on facial emotion recognition in women.
A total of 133 healthy young women completed the Vienna Emotion Recognition Test (VERT-K), which measures accuracy and response time of recognition of basic emotional expressions. Most participants (n = 115) completed the test twice and five groups were analyzed based on hormonal states: early follicular, peri-ovulatory, and active OC intake (control groups measured during the same hormonal phase twice), as well as OC discontinuation and initiation (before and after OC status transition).
Generalized linear mixed models revealed no significant changes in emotion recognition linked to OC initiation or discontinuation. Women in the early follicular phase and those discontinuing OCs were less accurate in recognizing neutral expressions compared to continuous OC users. Cross-sectional analysis showed no significant differences in emotion recognition between androgenic and antiandrogenic OC users. Exploratory correlation analyses suggest that changes in synthetic hormone levels may relate to emotion recognition performance, particularly improved anger recognition following OC discontinuation.
This first repeated-session study investigating OC status transitions could not replicate cross-sectional findings of impaired emotion recognition with OC use. However, given the importance of emotion recognition for social functioning and mental health, better powered longitudinal studies are essential to clarify mixed results and further investigate the potential associations between OCs and emotional processing.
{"title":"Emotion recognition largely unaffected by combined oral contraceptive transitions or their androgenicity","authors":"Ann-Christin S. Kimmig , Lieve Thecla van Egmond , Birgit Derntl","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105843","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105843","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Oral contraceptive (OC) intake has been linked to reduced emotion recognition, particularly for negative emotions, though cross-sectional findings are inconclusive. Differences in the androgenicity of OC formulations may partly explain these inconsistencies. This study examined the association of OC initiation or discontinuation on facial emotion recognition in women.</div><div>A total of 133 healthy young women completed the Vienna Emotion Recognition Test (VERT-K), which measures accuracy and response time of recognition of basic emotional expressions. Most participants (<em>n</em> = 115) completed the test twice and five groups were analyzed based on hormonal states: early follicular, peri-ovulatory, and active OC intake (control groups measured during the same hormonal phase twice), as well as OC discontinuation and initiation (before and after OC status transition).</div><div>Generalized linear mixed models revealed no significant changes in emotion recognition linked to OC initiation or discontinuation. Women in the early follicular phase and those discontinuing OCs were less accurate in recognizing neutral expressions compared to continuous OC users. Cross-sectional analysis showed no significant differences in emotion recognition between androgenic and antiandrogenic OC users. Exploratory correlation analyses suggest that changes in synthetic hormone levels may relate to emotion recognition performance, particularly improved anger recognition following OC discontinuation.</div><div>This first repeated-session study investigating OC status transitions could not replicate cross-sectional findings of impaired emotion recognition with OC use. However, given the importance of emotion recognition for social functioning and mental health, better powered longitudinal studies are essential to clarify mixed results and further investigate the potential associations between OCs and emotional processing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105843"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145333500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105839
Laura Pasquier, Violette Wallart, Louis Audebert, Séverine Devers, Joël Meunier , Charlotte Lécureuil
Parental care is a critical behaviour that enhances offspring survival and development across the animal kingdom. In insects, several studies have suggested that juvenile hormone (JH), a key regulator of their development and reproduction, also plays an important role in the regulation of parental care. However, recent findings in the European earwig Forficula auricularia challenge this view. In this study, we experimentally manipulated JH levels in 496 post-oviposition earwig females by exposing them to JHIII, two JH agonists (Methoprene, Pyriproxyfen), or a JH-production inhibitor (Precocene I). We then quantified the effects of these treatments on three key maternal care behaviours: egg gathering, egg guarding, and egg grooming. Consistent with a positive role of JH in promoting maternal care, we found that inhibiting JH synthesis via Precocene I led to a reduction in all three forms of maternal care. In contrast, supplementation with JHIII or exposure to JH agonists had no detectable effect on these care behaviours. The observed effects of Precocene I were specific to maternal care, as we found no effect on non-care behaviours (self-grooming, general activity), female body mass, egg development time, or nymph weight at hatching. These effects were also likely to result from changes in maternal JH titres, as our molecular analyses confirmed that Precocene I reduced the expression of two key genes involved in the JH pathway, JHAMT and Kr-h1, while exposure to JHIII and JH agonists had no effect on gene expression. Together, these results provide both experimental and molecular evidence that JH plays a positive role in regulating maternal care after oviposition in the European earwig. More generally, our findings open new avenues for understanding the hormonal basis and evolutionary diversification of parental care strategies in insects.
{"title":"Juvenile hormone and maternal egg care in the European earwig (part II): Precocene exposure reduces post-oviposition egg care behaviours","authors":"Laura Pasquier, Violette Wallart, Louis Audebert, Séverine Devers, Joël Meunier , Charlotte Lécureuil","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105839","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105839","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parental care is a critical behaviour that enhances offspring survival and development across the animal kingdom. In insects, several studies have suggested that juvenile hormone (JH), a key regulator of their development and reproduction, also plays an important role in the regulation of parental care. However, recent findings in the European earwig <em>Forficula auricularia</em> challenge this view. In this study, we experimentally manipulated JH levels in 496 post-oviposition earwig females by exposing them to JHIII, two JH agonists (Methoprene, Pyriproxyfen), or a JH-production inhibitor (Precocene I). We then quantified the effects of these treatments on three key maternal care behaviours: egg gathering, egg guarding, and egg grooming. Consistent with a positive role of JH in promoting maternal care, we found that inhibiting JH synthesis via Precocene I led to a reduction in all three forms of maternal care. In contrast, supplementation with JHIII or exposure to JH agonists had no detectable effect on these care behaviours. The observed effects of Precocene I were specific to maternal care, as we found no effect on non-care behaviours (self-grooming, general activity), female body mass, egg development time, or nymph weight at hatching. These effects were also likely to result from changes in maternal JH titres, as our molecular analyses confirmed that Precocene I reduced the expression of two key genes involved in the JH pathway, <em>JHAMT and Kr-h1</em>, while exposure to JHIII and JH agonists had no effect on gene expression. Together, these results provide both experimental and molecular evidence that JH plays a positive role in regulating maternal care after oviposition in the European earwig. More generally, our findings open new avenues for understanding the hormonal basis and evolutionary diversification of parental care strategies in insects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105839"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145307873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105840
Ariadna Rangel-Negrín , Jacob C. Dunn , Alejandro Coyohua-Fuentes , David Roberto Chavira-Ramírez , Pedro A.D. Dias
Vocalizations potentially encode information about physiological states, yet there is little direct evidence linking vocal parameters to physiological stress in non-humans, including primates. We investigated whether male mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) loud calls reflect physiological stress by analyzing the relationships between the acoustic parameters of loud calls and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations. Howler monkeys produce loud calls primarily in the context of intergroup competition, which has the potential to elicit physiological stress responses. We expected that elevated fGCM would be associated with loud call acoustics through changes in laryngeal tension (increasing fundamental frequency and vocal perturbations), respiratory control (affecting call duration and temporal patterning), and vocal tract configuration (modifying spectral properties). We analyzed 93 high-quality loud calls and assayed 242 fecal samples collected over a 10-year period from 23 adult males across seven groups in Los Tuxtlas (Mexico). We calculated 26 loud call acoustic measurements including spectral, temporal, and non-linear variables. Mixed-effects modeling revealed that acoustic features collectively explained 71 % of the variation in fGCM. Loud calls produced at higher fGCM were characterized by increased pitch, greater pitch instability, altered vocal tract resonances, increased voice roughness, and reduced tonal clarity. Among these features, changes in pitch showed the strongest association with fGCM. These findings establish a link between stress physiology and vocal production in howler monkeys, suggesting that internal physiological states manifest in acoustic signals that could convey information about caller condition.
{"title":"Acoustic correlates of physiological stress in a wild primate","authors":"Ariadna Rangel-Negrín , Jacob C. Dunn , Alejandro Coyohua-Fuentes , David Roberto Chavira-Ramírez , Pedro A.D. Dias","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105840","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105840","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vocalizations potentially encode information about physiological states, yet there is little direct evidence linking vocal parameters to physiological stress in non-humans, including primates. We investigated whether male mantled howler monkey (<em>Alouatta palliata</em>) loud calls reflect physiological stress by analyzing the relationships between the acoustic parameters of loud calls and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations. Howler monkeys produce loud calls primarily in the context of intergroup competition, which has the potential to elicit physiological stress responses. We expected that elevated fGCM would be associated with loud call acoustics through changes in laryngeal tension (increasing fundamental frequency and vocal perturbations), respiratory control (affecting call duration and temporal patterning), and vocal tract configuration (modifying spectral properties). We analyzed 93 high-quality loud calls and assayed 242 fecal samples collected over a 10-year period from 23 adult males across seven groups in Los Tuxtlas (Mexico). We calculated 26 loud call acoustic measurements including spectral, temporal, and non-linear variables. Mixed-effects modeling revealed that acoustic features collectively explained 71 % of the variation in fGCM. Loud calls produced at higher fGCM were characterized by increased pitch, greater pitch instability, altered vocal tract resonances, increased voice roughness, and reduced tonal clarity. Among these features, changes in pitch showed the strongest association with fGCM. These findings establish a link between stress physiology and vocal production in howler monkeys, suggesting that internal physiological states manifest in acoustic signals that could convey information about caller condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105840"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145307915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-15DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105838
Isabel Jaramillo , Jonathan Mamo-Wilhelmy , Luisa Bergunde , Marlene Karl , Kerstin Weidner , Susan Garthus-Niegel , Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
Background
Previous research has linked short-term measures of the steroid hormones testosterone and cortisol to differences in parenting behavior in fathers. However, little research has focused on father-child bonding, the emotional dimension of the father-child relationship.
Objective
This study aims to investigate the associations of long-term testosterone and cortisol levels with father-child bonding during the postpartum period. In addition, we examined the change in cumulative testosterone levels during the transition to fatherhood.
Methods
As part of the prospective cohort study DREAMHAIR, (expectant) fathers provided hair samples during their partners' pregnancy and at 8 weeks postpartum to quantify their long-term integrated testosterone and cortisol levels in the scalp-near 2 cm hair segment. Father-child bonding was assessed using the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire at 8 weeks and 14 months postpartum.
Results
In the current sample of highly educated fathers with relatively low bonding difficulties, regression analyses, controlling for depressive symptoms, revealed no significant associations between postpartum hair testosterone, the change in hair testosterone from pregnancy to 8 weeks postpartum, and postpartum hair cortisol with father-child bonding. Further, we found no interaction between hair cortisol and testosterone or the change in hair testosterone from pregnancy to 8 weeks postpartum on father-child bonding.
Conclusion
The results indicate that long-term postpartum testosterone, its change from pregnancy to 8 weeks postpartum, and long-term postpartum cortisol are not associated with self-reported father-child bonding. Further research is needed to examine the differences of short and long-term steroids in relation to father-child bonding in heterogeneous samples. Additionally, conceptual research is necessary to examine the differences to mother-child bonding and to caregiving behavior.
{"title":"The role of paternal hair testosterone and cortisol levels in father-child bonding across the perinatal period in first-time fathers","authors":"Isabel Jaramillo , Jonathan Mamo-Wilhelmy , Luisa Bergunde , Marlene Karl , Kerstin Weidner , Susan Garthus-Niegel , Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105838","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105838","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Previous research has linked short-term measures of the steroid hormones testosterone and cortisol to differences in parenting behavior in fathers. However, little research has focused on father-child bonding, the emotional dimension of the father-child relationship.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to investigate the associations of long-term testosterone and cortisol levels with father-child bonding during the postpartum period. In addition, we examined the change in cumulative testosterone levels during the transition to fatherhood.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>As part of the prospective cohort study DREAM<sub>HAIR</sub>, (expectant) fathers provided hair samples during their partners' pregnancy and at 8 weeks postpartum to quantify their long-term integrated testosterone and cortisol levels in the scalp-near 2 cm hair segment. Father-child bonding was assessed using the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire at 8 weeks and 14 months postpartum.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the current sample of highly educated fathers with relatively low bonding difficulties, regression analyses, controlling for depressive symptoms, revealed no significant associations between postpartum hair testosterone, the change in hair testosterone from pregnancy to 8 weeks postpartum, and postpartum hair cortisol with father-child bonding. Further, we found no interaction between hair cortisol and testosterone or the change in hair testosterone from pregnancy to 8 weeks postpartum on father-child bonding.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The results indicate that long-term postpartum testosterone, its change from pregnancy to 8 weeks postpartum, and long-term postpartum cortisol are not associated with self-reported father-child bonding. Further research is needed to examine the differences of short and long-term steroids in relation to father-child bonding in heterogeneous samples. Additionally, conceptual research is necessary to examine the differences to mother-child bonding and to caregiving behavior.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105838"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145307925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-14DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105841
Laura Pasquier, Violette Wallart, Séverine Devers, Joël Meunier , Charlotte Lécureuil
Parental care is a crucial behaviour in animals. Yet the mechanisms regulating its initiation remain poorly understood, particularly in insects. Juvenile hormone (JH) is widely recognized as a key hormonal regulator in insects that influences a broad diversity of physiological and behavioural traits, including parental care after oviposition. However, its role in triggering the onset of egg care remains unexplored. To address this, we experimentally manipulated JH levels in 194 pre-ovipositing European earwig females and tested whether they initiated care towards foreign eggs. Contrary to our predictions, topical application or injection of JH, methoprene (a JH analogue), precocene (a JH production inhibitor) or acetone (control) at varying doses failed to induce egg care or to prevent egg cannibalism. This rejection of foreign eggs was not due to experimental stress, as positive control females that had previously laid eggs cared for new foreign eggs, even after acetone exposure. These results demonstrate that neither the presence or absence of JH nor the mere presence of eggs is sufficient to induce maternal care in pre-ovipositing females. Instead, our findings suggest that additional signals beyond JH modulation and/or alternative hormonal pathways may be critical for initiating care behaviours in earwigs. Overall, this study advances our understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms underlying parental care and the multifaceted role of JH in insect behaviour.
{"title":"Juvenile hormone and maternal egg care in the European earwig (part I): Manipulation of JH, agonist, and precocene fails to induce the onset of egg care","authors":"Laura Pasquier, Violette Wallart, Séverine Devers, Joël Meunier , Charlotte Lécureuil","doi":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105841","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.yhbeh.2025.105841","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Parental care is a crucial behaviour in animals. Yet the mechanisms regulating its initiation remain poorly understood, particularly in insects. Juvenile hormone (JH) is widely recognized as a key hormonal regulator in insects that influences a broad diversity of physiological and behavioural traits, including parental care after oviposition. However, its role in triggering the onset of egg care remains unexplored. To address this, we experimentally manipulated JH levels in 194 pre-ovipositing European earwig females and tested whether they initiated care towards foreign eggs. Contrary to our predictions, topical application or injection of JH, methoprene (a JH analogue), precocene (a JH production inhibitor) or acetone (control) at varying doses failed to induce egg care or to prevent egg cannibalism. This rejection of foreign eggs was not due to experimental stress, as positive control females that had previously laid eggs cared for new foreign eggs, even after acetone exposure. These results demonstrate that neither the presence or absence of JH nor the mere presence of eggs is sufficient to induce maternal care in pre-ovipositing females. Instead, our findings suggest that additional signals beyond JH modulation and/or alternative hormonal pathways may be critical for initiating care behaviours in earwigs. Overall, this study advances our understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms underlying parental care and the multifaceted role of JH in insect behaviour.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13001,"journal":{"name":"Hormones and Behavior","volume":"176 ","pages":"Article 105841"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145299794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}