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Aggression, but not testosterone, is associated to oxidative status in a free-living vertebrate

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 06:39 authored by Isaksson, C, Geoffrey WhileGeoffrey While, Joanne McEvoyJoanne McEvoy, van de Commenacker, J, Olsson, M, Groothuis, TGG, Komdeur, J, Erik WapstraErik Wapstra
Aggression often shows large inter-individual variation, but high intra-individual consistency. Although the physiological basis and direct costs of aggression are generally well known, less is known about the physiological costs such as increased oxidative stress (OS). This can occur via increased leakage of oxidants during high metabolic demands such as physical activity, or by hormones regulating both metabolism and aggression. Here we address this within a natural population of White’s skinks, Egernia whitii; a species in which both sexes exhibit consistent aggressive phenotypes, and sex-specific associations between testosterone and ag- gression. The results reveal that males’ aggressive phenotype, independent of testosterone, was positively associated with antioxidant capacity (OXY), while there was no significant association in females. Oxidative damage (ROM) and oxidative stress index (OI), were not influenced by aggressive phenotype or testosterone, but showed borderline positive associa- tions with body size (i.e., age). The results failed to show that high testosterone increases OS. Instead, OS may be related to sex-specific behavioural patterns associated with aggressive phenotype such as territory and mate acquisition. Although experimental work is needed to identify the causal links for these patterns, the results highlight the need to consider proximate mechanisms to understand constraints on phenotypic variation.

History

Publication title

Behaviour: An International Journal of Behaviourial Biology

Volume

148

Issue

5-6

Pagination

713-731

ISSN

0005-7959

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Brill Academic Publishers

Place of publication

Plantijnstraat 2, P O Box 9000, Leiden, Netherland

Rights statement

Copyright © 2011 Brill

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems

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