Social and developmental influences on urinary androgen levels in young male white‐faced marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi)

Abstract

Callitrichine primates (marmosets and tamarins) often remain in their natal groups beyond the time of sexual maturity. Although studies have characterized the development of female reproductive function in callitrichine offspring, less is known about the male reproductive development. To document reproductive development in male marmosets, we monitored urinary androgen (uA) excretion in males housed in a captive colony of white-faced marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi). Young male marmosets showed relatively low and stable rates of uA excretion early in life, with elevated production at the end of the juvenile period (9–10 months) and again at the onset of adulthood (16 months). uA levels of adult breeding males were also measured to compare to adult-aged sons. Although breeding males did have higher uA levels than their adult-aged sons, these differences did not reach conventional levels of significance. Evidence from some other reports has suggested that androgen levels of males in other species are influenced by social factors, such as the presence of a sexually receptive female or of dependent offspring. In this study, however, uA levels did not vary, based on their mothers’ pregnancy status or the presence of younger siblings in the natal group. Patterns of androgen excretion in the white-faced marmoset roughly reflect those of other callitrichine species. Furthermore, unlike callitrichine daughters, gonadal activity in sons does not seem to be sensitive to within-group social cues.

When Dads Help: Male Behavioral Care During Primate Infant Development

“…For example, the in fl uence of hormones like prolactin, vasopressin, oxytocin, and testosterone in relation to bonding and infant care, or behavioral trade-offs between care and mate-acquisition have been extensively studied, even if still not completely understood (Bales et al 2004 ;Brockmann et al 2001 ;Gettler et al 2011 ;Goymann et al 2007 ;Gray et al 2007 ;Hirschenhauser and Oliveira 2006 ;Huck et al 2005 ;Schradin and Anzenberger 2002 ;Schradin et al 2003 ;Trainor andMarler 2001, 2002 ;Wing fi eld et al 1990 ;Ziegler 2000 ;Ziegler et al 1996Ziegler et al , 2000 . Differences in hormone production, responsiveness, or ontogenetic exposure may partly explain individual differences in caretaking behavior (Birnie et al 2011 ;Drea 2007 ;Ziegler et al 2009 ) . Other in fl uential factors include the rank, age and previous experience of the caretaker, sex of the infant, group size and composition, relatedness between caretaker and infant or mother, season of conception, or predation risk (Anderson 1992 ;Bercovitch 2002 ;Hoage 1977 ;McGrew 1988 ;O'Brien and Robinson 1991 ;Pryce 1988 ) .…”

Describing Ovarian Cycles, Pregnancy Characteristics, and the Use of Contraception in Female White‐Faced Marmosets, Callithrix geoffroyi

“…Young male common marmosets undergo reproductive impairment, but this appears to be regulated by incest avoidance and not rank-related father suppression [Baker et al, 1999], and cotton-top tamarins, Saguinus oedipus , another Callitrichid, show similar patterns of reproductive suppression [ Ginther et al, 2002]. Conversely, young White-faced marmosets, C. geoffroyi , show little sensitivity or suppression of gonadal activity, i.e., excretion of urinary androgens, as a response to social cues [Birnie et al, 2010]. Wied's marmosets exhibit genetic chimerism in a variety of tissues through the transfer of cells by siblings in utero , which make marmosets possess interesting relatedness characteristics [Ross et al, 2007].…”

Stress reactivity in young marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi): Ontogeny, stability, and lack of concordance among co-twins

“…By 12 months of age, marmosets are approaching adult body weight, and serving as caregivers for younger siblings, but are typically prepubertal in the natal family group. By 18 months, both males (Baker et al, 1999; Birnie et al; Birnie et al, 2011) and females (Saltzman et al, 1997; Smith et al, 1997; Filippini & French, in prep) have typically reached puberty (as indexed by elevated testosterone and the appearance of normative ovulatory cycles). In this study, we addressed three questions regarding the HPA stress response.…”