Testosterone response to competition in males is unrelated to opponent familiarity or threat appraisal

Oliveira, Gonçalo A.; Uceda, Sara; Oliveira, Tânia Sofia Ferreira de; Fernandes, Alexandre Constâncio; Garcia‐Marques, Teresa; Oliveira, Rui Filipe

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01240

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The supportive studies of non-primates are also consistent with it. It has been observed that the administration of testosterone to lambs and tropical birds selectively increases aggressive dominance behaviors when the status hierarchy is unstable [32,33]. According to some studies, testosterone rises in response to social stimulus in Przewalski horses as well [34].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intense Leisure Exploitation Influences on Horses Hormonal Reaction—Preliminary Study

et al. 2022

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Horses working with humans for recreational purposes are subjected to a variety of external factors that can have a negative impact on their well-being. There is an urgent need for unequivocal evidence from scientific studies to unify methods of welfare verification of working animals. The testosterone/cortisol ratio has recently been proposed as a marker of the propensity for social aggression as one of the stress reactions. In this study, we analyzed testosterone and cortisol blood concentration and ratio to evaluate the stress susceptibility of horses used for recreational purposes. The blood samples were collected from eleven (n = 11) standardbred horses (age 6–10; geldings–mares = 6:5) during the intense leisure exploitation and after the rest season. The cortisol concentration remained unchanged, whereas, despite the small study population, we observed higher testosterone levels during the horses’ intensive exploitation compared to the resting season (p > 0.09). Thus, the testosterone/cortisol ratio was increased during intensive exploitation. We conclude that recreational horseback riding is not an overly stressful activity for horses; however, it may lead to some behavioral abnormalities connected with high testosterone levels. However, more research is needed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intense Leisure Exploitation Influences on Horses Hormonal Reaction—Preliminary Study

et al. 2022

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“…Because this mediational effect of Positive Affect was specific to winners, these results suggest that winners experienced a reverse winner-loser effect. Reverse winner-loser effects have been observed in some prior studies (e.g., G. Oliveira et al, 2013Oliveira et al, , 2014, especially in competitions in which the winning or losing outcomes are ambiguous or unexpected (i.e. surprising) .…”

Section: Slot Machine Gambling: Evidence For a Winner-loser Effect?mentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Our results may also be interpreted considering involvement of a reverse winner–loser effect. Some studies have demonstrated post-competition increases in testosterone levels of losers but not winners (e.g., Oliveira et al, 2013, 2014), and Zilioli et al (2014) showed that a similarly reversed winner-loser effect was more pronounced in participants who experienced surprise after a competition designed to produce ambiguous wins and losses. More recently, Wu et al (2017) showed that cortisol levels and the closeness (clear vs. narrow) of Tetris competition outcomes moderated testosterone fluctuation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Slot machine gambling and testosterone: Evidence for a “winner–loser” effect?

Ferrari

Chan²,

Brown³

et al. 2018

Psychology of Addictive Behaviors

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The “winner–loser effect” refers to a phenomenon in testosterone research where the outcome of a social competition induces increases (wins) and/or decreases (losses) in testosterone levels. Here, we sought to test to what extent changes in testosterone occur in response to gambling behavior. More specifically, we hypothesized that the winner–loser effect would extend to slot machine gambling as a solitary (noncompetitive) gambling activity in players who “anthropomorphized” the slot machine, thus treating the machine as a human opponent. Male participants (n = 113) were recruited into a quasi-experimental design involving 15 min of authentic slot machine gambling, incentivized by a $10 cash bonus for participants who finished in profit. In addition to salivary measures of testosterone, salivary cortisol and self-reported anthropomorphization of the slot machine were tested as potential moderators. Contrary to predictions, winning and losing slot machine sessions did not exert significant differential effects on testosterone, and this pattern was not moderated by cortisol levels or slot machine anthropomorphization. Exploratory analyses tested relationships between subjective gambling experiences in the sessions and testosterone change. Higher positive affect and flow predicted greater testosterone declines from pre- to postgambling. The testosterone results add to a growing literature on the boundary conditions of the winner–loser effect and inform future studies on testosterone reactivity in relation to gambling and disordered gambling. The tendency to anthropomorphize slot machines is a neglected cognitive distortion in gambling that merits further study.

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Stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and aggression

Mbiydzenyuy,

Qulu

2024

Metab Brain Dis

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This comprehensive review explores the intricate relationship between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and aggression. It provides a detailed overview of the physiology and functioning of these axes, as well as the implications for aggressive behavior. The HPA axis, responsible for the stress response, is activated in response to various stressors and can influence aggressive behavior. Glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, play a crucial role in stress-induced activation of the HPA axis and have been implicated in aggressive tendencies. Chronic stress can dysregulate the HPA axis, leading to alterations in cortisol levels and potentially contributing to aggressive behavior. The HPG axis, particularly the androgen hormone testosterone, is also closely linked to aggression. Animal and human studies have consistently shown a positive association between testosterone levels and aggression. The androgen receptors in the brain’s neural circuitry play a critical role in modulating aggressive behavior. Interactions between the HPA and HPG axes further contribute to the regulation of aggression. Feedback mechanisms and crosstalk between these axes provide a complex system for the modulation of both stress and reproductive functions, which can impact aggressive behavior. Additionally,the influence of stress on reproductive functions, particularly the role of androgens in stress-induced aggression, adds further complexity to this relationship. The review also discusses the future directions and implications for clinical interventions. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying aggression requires integrating molecular, cellular, and circuit-level approaches. Translational perspectives, including animal models and human studies, can bridge the gap between basic research and clinical applications. Finally, therapeutic strategies for aggression-related disorders are explored, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions based on a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between the HPA and HPG axes. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the physiological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying aggression, with a specific focus on the interplay between the HPA and HPG axes. By elucidating the complex interactions between stress, hormones, and aggressive behavior, this research paves the way for future investigations and potential therapeutic interventions for aggression-related disorders.

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Testosterone response to competition in males is unrelated to opponent familiarity or threat appraisal

Cited by 10 publications

References 48 publications

Intense Leisure Exploitation Influences on Horses Hormonal Reaction—Preliminary Study

Intense Leisure Exploitation Influences on Horses Hormonal Reaction—Preliminary Study

Slot machine gambling and testosterone: Evidence for a “winner–loser” effect?

Stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and aggression

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