Date of Award
12-1979
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Leonard J. Beuving
Second Advisor
Dr. Jack Wood
Third Advisor
Dr. Ronald Hutchinson
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Introduction
It is now well established that androgens and estrogens are intricately involved in influencing the sexual differentiation of the brain, as well as male and female differences of aggressiveness. Evidence is accumulating which indicates that these steroid hormones influence the pattern of nervous connection and organization developing in utero and in the early postnatal period.
To more completely link testosterone's involvement with aggressive behavior, one must examine the voluminous literature which links testosterone with developing neonatal correlates of aggression as well as with adult capacity to display aggressive behavior. In most species the male is more aggressive than the female (Thomson, 1967; Seward, 1945; Ulrich, 1938), Unlike the female of most mammalian species, the male requires androgenization neonatally for a characteristically male type morphological, sexual and aggressive behavioral development. Castrating male mice reduces their aggressiveness and testosterone replacement will restore that aggression (Edwards, 1970; Sigg et al., 1966; Bevan et al., 1958), Castration performed during the first two days after birth effectively blocks aggression in adulthood. As the time of castration advances from birth, testosterone replacement in adulthood becomes progressively more effective in restoring aggression (Peter et al., 1972; Edwards, 1969).
Recommended Citation
Smith, David D., "The Effects of Pre and Postnatal Gonadal Hormone Administration on the Adult Aggressive-Target Biting in Female Mice" (1979). Masters Theses. 4511.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4511