Hormones And Behavior[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Progesterone and negative emotionality across and between ovulatory cycles: A study of romantically involved women.
Dobson RT, Dinh T, Reynolds TA … +2 more , Thompson ME, Gangestad SW
Horm Behav · 2026 Jan · PMID 41314104 · Publisher ↗
In prior work, naturally cycling women's progesterone levels were found to be associated with their anxiety levels and concerns about levels of social support. The current study further examined these associations. Natur...
In prior work, naturally cycling women's progesterone levels were found to be associated with their anxiety levels and concerns about levels of social support. The current study further examined these associations. Naturally cycling partnered women (N = 180) participated in up to four in-lab sessions across a month. Each session, they filled out measures of their mood states and their concerns about investment by their primary relationship partners. Progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, and cortisol levels were assayed in session-specific urine samples. In mixed model analyses, both average levels of hormones and within-woman variations of hormones were entered as predictors of negative emotionality and concerns about partner investment. Women's mean levels of progesterone positively predicted these outcomes, but their session-specific variations in progesterone were weakly and not significantly associated with these outcomes. Mean estradiol levels negatively and mean testosterone levels positively predicted negative emotionality. Only within-woman variations in cortisol levels predicted negative emotionality. In additional analyses, both mean follicular and luteal phase levels of progesterone predicted negative emotionality. Overall, results are not consistent with progesterone affecting negative emotionality. Perhaps negative emotionality influences progesterone levels, though additional research is needed before definitive causal conclusions can be offered.
Experimentally induced sexual behavior in male gray treefrogs activates the HPG but not the HPI axis.
Freiler MK, Halstead LN, Bee MA … +1 more , Baugh AT
Horm Behav · 2026 Jan · PMID 41314103 · Publisher ↗
While many studies have established how hormones modulate behavior, experiments that manipulate a behavior and quantify its hormonal consequences are rarer. Frog sexual behavior presents an opportunity to control a discr...
While many studies have established how hormones modulate behavior, experiments that manipulate a behavior and quantify its hormonal consequences are rarer. Frog sexual behavior presents an opportunity to control a discrete behavior and observe its secretory consequences. Male frogs clasp females (amplexus) prior to gamete release. In the wild, amplexed males have endogenously higher gonadal and interrenal steroids. Here, we used Cope's gray treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis) to experimentally test the hypothesis that the behavioral act of amplexus causes these increased circulating hormones. We quantified levels of testosterone, estradiol, and corticosterone after 90 min in three treatment groups: unpaired males that were given access to a female and allowed to enter amplexus ("amplexus induced"), males in naturally amplexed pairs that were separated from their mate ("amplexus terminated"), and unpaired males that remained unpaired ("control"). Testosterone and estradiol were elevated in the amplexus induced group relative to males in the amplexus terminated and control groups. We did not observe any differences in corticosterone levels across treatment groups. These results suggest the behavioral act of amplexus activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, but not the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis. This study provides experimental evidence of a discrete behavior rapidly initiating hormonal changes.
Deciphering the molecular connections between polycystic ovarian syndrome and autism spectrum disorder using bioinformatic analysis.
Nautiyal H, Jaiswar A, Roy KK … +1 more , Dwivedi S
Horm Behav · 2026 Jan · PMID 41289830 · Publisher ↗
Epidemiological studies show a positive association between polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), potentially due to elevated prenatal testosterone levels, supporting the prenatal sex ste...
Epidemiological studies show a positive association between polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), potentially due to elevated prenatal testosterone levels, supporting the prenatal sex steroid theory. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this association remain unclear. This study investigates the association between PCOS and ASD by identifying shared hub genes and exploring molecular mechanisms using publicly available gene expression datasets (GSE1615, GSE5850, GSE10946, GSE80432, and GSE28521). We analysed these datasets for identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways using bioinformatic tools such as GEO2R, STRING, Enrichr, and Cytoscape. Sixty-three overlapping DEGs were identified, along with shared pathways related to hormone receptor signalling, synaptic function, and metabolic regulation. Network analysis highlighted hub genes (TP53, MAPK1, MAPK14, AR, ESR1, CCND1, EP300), regulatory microRNAs and transcription factors with potential roles in both disorders. Drug signature enrichment via DSigDB identified candidate small molecules through hypothesis generating prediction, including celecoxib, N-acetylcysteine and other drug molecules. Elevated maternal androgens are proposed as a shared environmental factor that may interact with molecularly regulated pathways, contributing to the observed molecular convergence. While the study integrates multiple well-curated datasets, sample sizes were modest, and analysis were performed exclusively in silico without experimental validation. These findings provide insight into the potential mechanistic overlap between PCOS and ASD, highlighting the molecular targets for future functional and translational studies, while underscoring the need for careful interpretation in maternal-fetal health contexts.
Bold female zebrafish (Danio rerio) have physiological advantages in reproductive performance.
Hu Y, Liu Y
Horm Behav · 2026 Jan · PMID 41289829 · Publisher ↗
Research has established that individual behavioral differences (such as the bold-shy axis) can significantly influence reproductive success in various vertebrates. However, there is a notable gap in understanding the ph...
Research has established that individual behavioral differences (such as the bold-shy axis) can significantly influence reproductive success in various vertebrates. However, there is a notable gap in understanding the physiological mechanisms behind these reproductive outcomes. This lack of research limits our comprehension of how behavioral traits influence reproductive strategies and adaptability via neuroendocrine pathways. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between boldness traits and reproductive physiology in zebrafish (Danio rerio), including the gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonad histology, sex steroid hormones, and expression levels of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis-related genes. Zebrafish were classified into bold females, shy females, bold males, and shy males through the open field test. The results showed that GSI was significantly increased, and a strong non-significant trend was observed for higher plasma 17β-estradiol (E2) concentrations in bold females compared to shy females. No difference in plasma testosterone (T) concentrations had been found between bold and shy males. Bold female ovaries had more mature oocytes, while bold male testes had more mature spermatozoa. The detection of genes related to the gonadotropin pathway, steroidogenesis, and yolk synthesis revealed that significantly upregulated expression levels of gnrh2, cyp19b, hsd17β, fshr, lhr, vtg1, erα, and er2β were observed in bold females. It was found that the expression levels of gnrh2, fshβ, and lhr were significantly upregulated in bold males. These results suggest that bold and shy phenotypes are closely linked to the physiological state of reproduction, establishing a basis for further investigation into the biological significance of boldness in regulating fish reproduction.
No effect of glucocorticoid and noradrenergic activity on consistency in prosocial choice.
Lüpken LM, Schnitzler A, Kalenscher T
Horm Behav · 2026 Jan · PMID 41275591 · Publisher ↗
Stress can alter the way people make decisions, affecting domains such as risk-taking and social interaction. Growing evidence suggests that this may be driven by distinct effects of the stress neuromodulators cortisol a...
Stress can alter the way people make decisions, affecting domains such as risk-taking and social interaction. Growing evidence suggests that this may be driven by distinct effects of the stress neuromodulators cortisol and noradrenaline. For example, stress-induced neuromodulatory changes can influence social decision-making, promoting either prosocial or antagonistic tendencies and consequently shifting underlying values and preferences. While choices are directly observable, preferences are not and must instead be inferred from observed choice patterns. This inference relies on the assumption that preferences remain stable throughout the observation period, as reflected in the internal consistency of choices. However, the effects of stress on social decision-making challenge this notion. This raises the question of whether choice consistency - the basis for inferring preferences from choices - remains robust across dynamic changes in neuromodulator activity. Therefore, we examined whether cortisol and noradrenaline affect prosocial decision-making and choice consistency. In a double-blind psychopharmacological study, we exogenously manipulated cortisol and/or noradrenaline activity by administering hydrocortisone, yohimbine, both hydrocortisone and yohimbine, or placebo to 129 participants. Prosocial decision-making was measured using a modified dictator game before and after drug administration, and choice consistency was quantified within the framework of the Generalized Axiom of Revealed Preferences. Our results indicate that neither cortisol nor noradrenergic activity affected prosocial decision-making or choice consistency, suggesting that social preferences remain stable despite changes in neurohormonal states. These findings underscore the robustness of choice consistency across neurohormonal fluctuations and illustrate the complexity of how stress neuromodulators shape (social) decision-making.
Associations between cumulative family environmental stress exposures and hair cortisol concentrations among 2.5- and 5-year-olds with different social competences.
Kortesluoma S, Tervahartiala K, Perasto L … +10 more , Pulli EP, Mustonen P, Zangrandi MM, Korja R, Deater-Deckard K, Karlsson H, Carter AS, Lukkarinen M, Junttila N, Karlsson L
Horm Behav · 2026 Jan · PMID 41275590 · Publisher ↗
There is a vast amount of research indicating the associations between prenatal and postnatal environmental stress exposures and the human hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning in early childhood. However...
There is a vast amount of research indicating the associations between prenatal and postnatal environmental stress exposures and the human hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning in early childhood. However, less is known about the protective factors among these associations. This study aimed to examine the associations between cumulative family environmental stress (CFES) exposure and a child's hair cortisol concentration (HCC) at the ages of 2.5 (n = 213) and 5 (n = 372) years. We further analyzed whether toddlers' social competence (by The Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment) and preschoolers' pro- or antisocial behavior (by The Multisource Assessment of Children's Social Competence) would moderate the associations between CFES and HCC. Results showed that neither pre- nor postnatal CFES exposure was associated with child's HCC. However, children with higher social competence had lower HCC at the age of 2.5 independent of the environmental stress. Moreover, at the age of 5 years, in males with lower antisocial behavior, the HCC levels decreased along with the increased prenatal CFES exposure. The effect sizes were small, and the results should be considered with caution. The study provides some indications that a child's social and emotional abilities contribute to HPA axis functioning and could protect a child from family environmental related stress exposure during early childhood. Moreover, there may be sex differences in these associations. Further research is needed to examine whether a child's socioemotional competence could protect against stress arising from the early rearing environment as well as its contributions to the maturation of a child' stress regulation.
Appetitive maternal behavior in mice is resistant to perinatal chronic variable stress and perinatal chronic corticosterone treatment.
Rivero-Quiles C, Abdelmesih B, Kong A … +3 more , Khan U, Kislin M, Autry AE
Horm Behav · 2026 Jan · PMID 41253068 · Full text
Perinatal stress is a risk factor for emotional and cognitive disturbances in both caregivers and their infants. Here, we compared the impact of two stressors, perinatal chronic variable stress (CVS) and perinatal chroni...
Perinatal stress is a risk factor for emotional and cognitive disturbances in both caregivers and their infants. Here, we compared the impact of two stressors, perinatal chronic variable stress (CVS) and perinatal chronic corticosterone treatment (C-CORT), on maternal exploratory behavior, maternal caregiving, and hypothalamic neural activity. We stressed mouse dams with each paradigm for 13 days starting at gestational day 11 (GD11). We examined open field exploration behavior on day 12 of stress (or post-partum day 3, PP3) and pup-directed behavior on day 13 of stress (PP4). We collected brains and serum 30 min after pup exposure to study circulating maternal corticosterone and the expression of the immediate-early gene Fos in hypothalamic neuropeptidergic cell populations. We found that perinatal CVS reduced distance moved and increased immobility in the open field, suggestive of a depression-like phenotype, while perinatal C-CORT reduced time spent in the center of the open field, suggestive of an anxiety-like phenotype. Dams exposed to both stressors showed intact appetitive maternal behavior. Importantly, we found that CVS in mated, unpregnant females led to hypoactivity in the open field and significantly increased pup retrieval latency. Both stressors led to reduced Fos colocalization with corticotropin-releasing factor in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) after pup exposure. Perinatal C-CORT treatment increased Fos colocalization with urocortin-3 in the perifornical area of the hypothalamus (PeFA). Together, these results suggest that adaptations in maternal physiology and brain function contribute to stress resistance, thereby protecting appetitive maternal behavior.
Why do mood disturbances often occur in early postpartum? An integrative neurobiological and evolutionary perspective.
Li M
Horm Behav · 2026 Jan · PMID 41253067 · Publisher ↗
One of the most perplexing issues in clinical psychology is why the early postpartum period, supposed to be one of the happiest moments of a woman's life, is often associated with a significantly higher incidence of ment...
One of the most perplexing issues in clinical psychology is why the early postpartum period, supposed to be one of the happiest moments of a woman's life, is often associated with a significantly higher incidence of mental health problems. This manuscript advocates the idea that pervasive mood disturbances during the early postpartum period can be understood by exploring their proximate neurobiological mechanisms and ultimate adaptive functions. At the biological level, alterations in mood states are thought to proximately result from pregnancy- and motherhood-induced neurobiological changes, especially in the monoamine and glucocorticoid systems in various limbic areas (e.g., the hippocampus and hypothalamus). On the one hand, these changes must occur in order to prepare a new mother to better face the challenge of motherhood both physiologically and behaviorally, as they are critically important for increasing prolactin and oxytocin production to prepare for parturition and milk production, enhancing attentional and emotional processing of infant-related cues, and allowing normal onset and expression of maternal behavior. On the other hand, these changes also increase the mothers' stress response and vulnerability to experience mood disturbances. Evolutionarily, mild mood disturbances have been proposed to have the evolved functions of conserving resources and soliciting more social support to help raise a child when the unfavorable circumstances demand. The ultimate force influencing postpartum mood disturbances is the evolutionary pressure that promotes inclusive fitness of the mother. Clinical postpartum mental disorders most often develop in individuals with increased genetic and environmental risks for mental disorders. According to this proximate-ultimate theory, postpartum mood disturbances could be considered as either an unfortunate "by-product" or a potentially adaptive behavioral strategy of normative neurobiological changes from pregnancy to the early postpartum period. They clearly serve an evolutionary purpose to ameliorate unfavorable social and environmental conditions. This article reviews relevant animal and human studies on functional brain changes in postpartum females and articulates how these changes could contribute to the development of postpartum mental disorders.
Neural circuits that suppress parental behavior in adult laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) and mice (Mus musculus).
Numan M
Horm Behav · 2026 Jan · PMID 41240774 · Publisher ↗
This review examines the nature of a defensive neural system that suppresses parental behavior in sexually inexperienced (virgin) female laboratory rats and virgin male laboratory mice. Virgin female mice are not initial...
This review examines the nature of a defensive neural system that suppresses parental behavior in sexually inexperienced (virgin) female laboratory rats and virgin male laboratory mice. Virgin female mice are not initially examined because many virgin female laboratory mice are 'spontaneously' maternal. While virgin female rats typically avoid pups, many virgin male mice initially attack pups. Despite these different responses, there are strong commonalities in the nature of their respective defensive neural systems. A comparison of the rat and mouse literature indicates that input from the vomeronasal organ activates the medial amygdala (MeA). The MeA and its connections to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, in turn, inhibit the medial preoptic area (MPOA), a hypothalamic region that promotes parental behavior, while also activating a medial hypothalamus-periaqueductal gray defensive region that causes virgin rodents to avoid or attack pups. While the foundational research on this circuit was performed on female rats, more recent research on mice, using advanced neuroscientific techniques, has added more detail to the defensive neural system by uncovering the involvement of urocortin 3-expressing neurons in the perifornical area of the hypothalamus and corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2-expressing MeA neurons. When female rats and male mice become parents, MPOA efferents inhibit the defensive system and activate parental motivation. Although many virgin female mice are 'spontaneously' maternal, a latent defensive system exists which can be activated by environmental stressors. The postpartum mouse is less vulnerable to such stressors, and the neural basis of such resilience is examined.
Editorial: The most common mistake involving the use of correlations.
McCormick CM, Carré JM
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41206224 · Publisher ↗
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Contraceptive hormones and social instability stress in adolescence and in adulthood: Effects on anxiety and social behaviour.
Lacasse JM, Fletcher BC, Murray SH … +5 more , Pasetto-Patrick M, Sheehan AC, Trujano C, Galea LAM, McCormick CM
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41192309 · Publisher ↗
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 investigat...
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.
Influence of premenstrual syndrome on attentional capture by expressions in the luteal phase.
Álvarez F, Veiga-Zarza E, Fernández-Folgueiras U … +3 more , Pita M, Kessel D, Carretié L
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41172963 · Publisher ↗
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 process...
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.
Polycystic ovary syndrome: Unveiling the multifaceted contributors, mechanisms, and psychological impacts.
Bhati P, Haloi P, Munjal K … +1 more , Chitme HR
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41161131 · Publisher ↗
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. Characterize...
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.
CRISPR-mediated knockdown of oxytocin receptor in extended amygdala reduces stress-induced social avoidance in female California mice.
Cea Salazar VI, Boender AJ, Seelke AMH … +7 more , Gaard L, Mederos SL, Rogers S, Gutierrez XZ, Bales KL, Young LJ, Trainor BC
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41151122 · Full text
Oxytocin receptors (OTRs) within the extended amygdala and nucleus accumbens (NAc) have been implicated in modulating social behaviors, particularly following stress. The effects of OTR could be mediated by modulating th...
Oxytocin receptors (OTRs) within the extended amygdala and nucleus accumbens (NAc) have been implicated in modulating social behaviors, particularly following stress. The effects of OTR could be mediated by modulating the activity of pre-synaptic axon terminals or via receptors in post-synaptic neurons or glia. Using a viral-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system in female California mice (Peromyscus californicus), we selectively knocked down OTR in the anteromedial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) or NAc to examine their roles modulating social approach and vigilance behaviors. Knockdown of OTR in the BNST attenuated stress-induced decreases of social approach and had less robust effects on vigilance when interacting with a target mouse behind a wire barrier. In this large arena, where mice could control their proximity to a target mouse, BNST OTR knockdown also increased investigation of a non-social stimulus (empty cage). Behavioral effects of BNST OTR knockdown were weaker in the small arena where focal mice physically interacted with target mice. Interestingly, OTR knockdown in the NAc, reduced stress-induced social vigilance without affecting social approach. These effects could mediate altered encoding of socially aversive experiences, as knockdown manipulations were performed before stress exposure. Together, these results highlight effects of local OTR on social behavior that are region-specific.
Glucocorticoid correlation between barn owl (Tyto alba) breeding partners and its association with reproductive success.
Béziers P, Jenni L, Roulin A … +1 more , Almasi B
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41129988 · Publisher ↗
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 cor...
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.
Emotion recognition largely unaffected by combined oral contraceptive transitions or their androgenicity.
Kimmig AS, van Egmond LT, Derntl B
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41118717 · Publisher ↗
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...
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.
The role of paternal hair testosterone and cortisol levels in father-child bonding across the perinatal period in first-time fathers.
Jaramillo I, Mamo-Wilhelmy J, Bergunde L … +4 more , Karl M, Weidner K, Garthus-Niegel S, Steudte-Schmiedgen S
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41100964 · Publisher ↗
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...
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 DREAM, (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.
Acoustic correlates of physiological stress in a wild primate.
Rangel-Negrín A, Dunn JC, Coyohua-Fuentes A … +2 more , Chavira-Ramírez DR, Dias PAD
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41100963 · Publisher ↗
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 mal...
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.
Juvenile hormone and maternal egg care in the European earwig (part II): Precocene exposure reduces post-oviposition egg care behaviours.
Pasquier L, Wallart V, Audebert L … +3 more , Devers S, Meunier J, Lécureuil C
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41100962 · Publisher ↗
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 developmen...
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.
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.
Pasquier L, Wallart V, Devers S … +2 more , Meunier J, Lécureuil C
Horm Behav · 2025 Nov · PMID 41092595 · Publisher ↗
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 i...
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.
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