Animal Behavior/Hormones in Behavior

Hormones

The Glandular Systems

The body has two types of glandular systems, the endocrine, which generally secrete hormones through the bloodstream, and the exocrine which secrete fluids to the outer surfaces of the body, such as sweating.

Endocrine glands

The Endocrine System combines neural and glandular mechanisms which control physiological functions/behavior via the secretion of hormones. Hormones are chemical signaling molecules which play an integral role during development (organizational effects) and day-to-day functioning (activational effects) of target tissues at critical times. Secretory cells of a particular type are often clumped together into a well defined gland (e.g. pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, testes, ovaries). Secreted at that site they distribute throughout the body via the blood stream, and cause physiological changes at any other sites.

• Steroids: derived from cholesterol
• Amines: derived from amino acids
• Peptides: short chains of amino acids via protein synthesis

Sex hormones, largely steroids, are secreted from gonads and adrenal cortex. Androgens (e.g., testosterone) are usually higher in male mammals while levels of estrogens (e.g., estradiol) in female mammals exceed those in males. Circulating levels of sex hormones then provide the basic organization for gender phenotypes.

Neurohormone refers to a compound that is released into the bloodstream at specialized neurohemal release sites. It binds to receptors anywhere in the body and thereby coordinates disparate biochemical responses.They are released from glands, transported via the circulatory system and influence the activity of target organs.

Functionally hormones are categorized as Effector hormones (e.g. Vasopressin, Oxytocin) or Tropic hormones, releasing factors (e.g. Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone - GnRH, Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone - GHRH). Target Organs receive hormones via blood stream, respond directly or release their own hormones in response (steroid hormones), and these hormones circulate back to turn off hormonal secretion: endocrine feed back loops. Compensatory hypertrophy results from feedback loops control levels of activity where systems are upregulated until they achieve sufficient functional effects (e.g. thyroxine and goiter). Activational Effects and Organizational Effects

Pituitary gland

The Pituitary gland is a small endocrine organ located within the mammalian brain, dorsal to the hypothalamus. The gland is composed of anterior and posterior sections, as well as an intermediate lobe. These lobes are largely responsible for the storage of many hormones that are associated with many different facets of bodily functioning. The pituitary gland is largely responsible for the release of a variety of important hormones that regulate thyroid activity. The Pituitary additionally releases the lactotrophin’s oxytocin and vasopressin, the gonadotropin hormones follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH), and hormones responsible for development, growth, and the reproductive process/ovulation. It has been shown to regulate water and osmolarity in the body, as well as the ability to maintain homeostatic temperature. Malfunctioning of the pituitary can lead to a number of diseases, including hyper/hypothyroidism, gigantism, central diabetes insipidus, and pituitary tumors. Due its role in cortisol regulation, mental disorders can be affected by pituitary functioning. Due to its critical involvement in the regulation of hormonal homeostasis, medical problems such as pituitary tumors can have significant effects on mood, emotions, sexual functioning, and body weight. It is likely that someone with a malfunctioning pituitary would experience mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and personality changes.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is an important regulatory hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, and is known to be involved with a number of critical bodily functions in humans. Secreted from the pituitary gland, oxytocin stimulates uterine contraction when giving birth, and lactation in nursing mothers. It has been found to modulate inflammation at wound sites, allowing the wound to heal more quickly. Social bonding behaviors are closely associated with oxytocin, such as facilitating inter-personal trust while decreasing feelings of fear and anxiety. It can also play a role in enhancement of social memories, leading to more positive feelings when thinking about the memory in the future. Due to its release from hugging and cuddling behaviors, it is important in the positive feelings people experience during periods of close contact.

Sex Determination

Hormonal influences during critical periods produce fairly permanent changes in nervous and endocrine systems. Sex-determination may be chromosomal or environmental:

• Mammals: hormonal cascade of events takes an individual down one of two paths (default is female). testes determining factor (tdf) in mammals or Sexchromosomal Abnormalities: Turner syndrome (XO monosomy), Klinefelter syndrome (XXY trisomy), XYY syndrome ("supermale"), Multi-X syndrome ("superfemale"), XX Male syndrome (SRY gene transference) XY Female syndrome (SRY gene missing)
• Birds: Males are homogametic (ZZ), females are heterogametic (ZW)
• Turtles: temperature
• Fish: social stimuli

internal sex organs: Precursors for both internal sex organs are present in the embryo: the Mullerian system for the female sex; the Wolffian system for males. Controlled by the levels of circulating hormones, only one set of organs develops while the other shrinks. Secreted by the testes, Müllerian inhibiting hormone (i.e., a peptide hormone) has defeminizing effects while androgens (i.e., steroid hormones) exert a masculinizing effect. Gonads: testes or ovaries, first to develop. External genitalia: Androgens are essential for the development of primary sexual characteristics.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome: A genetic male lacking functional androgen receptors develops testes, secretes Müllerian inhibiting substance and androgens. Internal sex organs progress onto the intended male path, but female external genitalia result from the inability to respond to androgens correctly. Turner’s syndrome, with genotype XO (i.e., a single X chromosome and no Y), lacks testes and ovaries.

Maternal effects explain influenced by effects of the mother that are not due to direct genetic inheritance. Positional effects in the mammalian uterus

Homeostasis

Hormonal secretion or its inhibition may bring about some rapid physiological changes in a variety of target tissues. Vasopressin.

Behavioral Endocrinology

Metabolic Balance

Hormones influence sensory perception (human visual, rat odor, preference in castrated vs. intact). Hypothalamus neurons monitor the internal state (thirst, hunger) and send neurosecretory cell axons to the posterior pituitary.

Reproductive Behavior

In females, Oxytocin, released from the posterior pituitary, triggers milk let-down in mammary glands or contraction in the uterus during child-birth. It is also associated with powerful emotional effects (affective states) in parental behavior and maternal competence. Moreover, the hypothalamus secretes releasing factors to stimulate or inhibit manufacture and secretion of hormones in anterior pituitary portal system: Prolactin, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH); receives, stores and releases neurohormones from hypothalamus. Sex behaviors: gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) -> gonadotropin -> gonad maturation and gonadal steroid production -> feed back to brain. Sex steroids initiate the basic female and male anatomies (i.e., organizing effects in sexual differentiation cascade) but also allow animals to later respond to activational effects. Expression of sex differences in behavior also requires that steroids activate many aspects of the phenotype during maturation. Reproductive Neuroendocrinology of Ring Doves (Streptopelia risoria): monogamous, sexually monomorphic, parental care from both male and female (incubate eggs, crop "milk"); Lordosis in female hamsters: female soliciting behavior triggered by a touch on the side of the haunches.

McClintock Effect

synchronisation of menstrual cycles in female mammals housed together

Lee-Boot Effect

Oestrous cycles slow and stop in female mice housed together in the absence of any males in the surrounding environment

Whitten Effect

individuals start cycling again in synchrony if exposed to male odor

Vandenbergh Effect

acceleration of onset of puberty in female rat when exposed to odor of male

Bruce Effect

failure of pregnancy if female rat is housed with a male who is not the father

Example: Arthropod Molting

Hormonal Control of Arthropod Molting: Brain: releases ecdysiotropin which stimulates release of molting hormone (MH) from Prothoracic Gland; Corpora allata: Juvenile Hormone (JH) suppresses metamorphosis; Prothoracic Gland; Corpora allata: Juvenile Hormone (JH) suppresses metamorphosis