Glucocorticoids and activity in free-living arctic ground squirrels: Interrelationships between weather, body condition, and reproduction.

Hormones and Behavior
Victor Y ZhangC Loren Buck

Abstract

The dynamic relationship between glucocorticoids and behavior are not well understood in wild mammals. We investigated how weather, body condition, and reproduction interact to affect cortisol levels and activity patterns in a free-living population of arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii). As a proxy for foraging and escape behaviors, collar-mounted accelerometers and light loggers were used to measure above-ground activity levels and the amount of time squirrels spent below the surface, respectively. Fecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) were quantified to assess glucocorticoid secretion in squirrels. Male and female squirrels differed in above-ground activity levels and time spent below-ground across the active season, with males being most active during mating and females most active during lactation. We also found that female, but not male, squirrels exhibited seasonal variation in FCM levels, with concentrations highest during mid-lactation and lowest after the lactation period. In female squirrels, the seasonal relationships between breeding stage, activity, and FCM levels were also consistent with changes in maternal investment and the preparative role that glucocorticoids are hypothesized to play in energy mobiliza...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1979·Monographs on Endocrinology·J H Exton
Jan 1, 1992·Endocrinology·C D WalkerM F Dallman
Feb 1, 1988·The American Journal of Physiology·Y CherelY Le Maho
Jan 1, 1973·Neuroendocrinology·J M SternS Levine
Jan 1, 1995·The American Journal of Physiology·A M StrackM F Dallman
Dec 1, 1994·General and Comparative Endocrinology·T BoswellG J Kenagy
Oct 1, 1993·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·M F DallmanM Smith
Apr 1, 1996·The European Journal of Neuroscience·C SandiC Guaza
Feb 24, 1998·Physiological Zoology·J A Heath, A M Dufty
Aug 24, 1999·Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care·P O Hasselgren
Nov 5, 1999·Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism : TEM·J C Webster, J A Cidlowski
Jun 21, 2001·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·L M Romero, M Wikelski
Oct 9, 2001·Progress in Brain Research·S L LightmanC D Ingram
Feb 28, 2002·Hormones and Behavior·Kristin A KochJohn D Buntin
Apr 2, 2002·Veterinary Research Communications·E MöstlR Palme
Sep 25, 2002·General and Comparative Endocrinology·L Michael Romero
Mar 5, 2003·Hormones and Behavior·Bruce S McEwen, John C Wingfield
Mar 5, 2003·Hormones and Behavior·Creagh W Breuner, Thomas P Hahn
Jul 2, 2003·Journal of Neuroendocrinology·J C Wingfield, R M Sapolsky
Aug 21, 2003·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Benjamin C NephewL Michael Romero
Mar 26, 2004·Psychoneuroendocrinology·Eva MikicsJózsef Haller
Jan 25, 2005·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Pablo RodríguezRafael Villafuerte
Mar 17, 2006·Physiology & Behavior·Susanne E la Fleur
Dec 13, 2006·General and Comparative Endocrinology·C Loren BuckS Dean Kildaw
Aug 21, 2007·Hormones and Behavior·Frédéric AngelierOlivier Chastel
Nov 15, 2007·Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia·Theresa M Casey, Karen Plaut
Jun 13, 2008·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Cory T WilliamsC Loren Buck
Jun 19, 2008·General and Comparative Endocrinology·John C Wingfield
Oct 16, 2008·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·L G HalseyR P Wilson
Nov 21, 2008·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·L G HalseyP B Frappell
Sep 30, 2009·Hormones and Behavior·Bruce S McEwen, John C Wingfield

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.