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. 1984;6(3):169-186.
doi: 10.1002/ajp.1350060305.

Behavioral and physiological suppression of fertility in subordinate marmoset monkeys

David H Abbott  1
Affiliations

Behavioral and physiological suppression of fertility in subordinate marmoset monkeys

David H Abbott. Am J Primatol. 1984.

Abstract

In laboratory groups of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus), socially induced reproductive suppression among subordinates and offspring effectively maintained a monogamous breeding system. Male subordinates or male offspring were inhibited or restrained from showing sexual behavior, while similarly placed females could also suffer from complete ovarian failure. In well-established families, a familiarity or inbreeding taboo restricted reproduction among otherwise fertile offspring. However, only one daughter ovulated in any family, and in up to 50% of family groups, all daughters were inhibited from ovulating. This differential effect on daughters may have reflected a qualitative shift in the mother-daughter relationship: the ovulating daughter may have represented the next breeding female and may no longer have regarded the mother as an inhibitory influence. In newly established peer groups of pubertal and postpubertal offspring, one male and female dominated all others in each group and overtly inhibited sexual behavior in subordinates of their own sex. Ovulation was suppressed in all subordinate females because of inadequate gonadotrophin secretion. This was not related to increased secretion of cortisol or prolactin, but may have been related to hypothalamic inhibition of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) secretion.

Keywords: Callithrix jacchus jacchus; LH; aggression; cortisol; dominance; infertility; marmoset; prolactin; sex; testosterone.

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References

    1. Abbott, D. H., The sexual development of the common marmoset monkey, Callithrix jacchus jacchus. PhD thesis, University of Edinburgh, 1979.
    1. Abbott, D. H.; Hearn, J. P., Physical, hormonal and behavioral aspects of sexual development in the marmoset monkey, Callithrix jacchus. Journal of reproduction and fertility 53:155–166, 1978.
    1. Abbott, D. H.; Hearn, J. P., The effects of neonatal exposure to testosterone on the development of behavior in female marmoset monkeys, pp. 299–316 in Sex, hormones and behaviour. Ciba Symposium (New Series), Vol. 62. Amsterdam, Excerpta Medica, 1979.
    1. Abbott, D. H.; McNeilly, A. S.; Lunn, S. F.; Hulme, M. J.; Burden, F. J., Inhibition of ovarian function in subordinate female marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus jacchus). Journal of reproduction and fertility 53:335–345, 1981.
    1. Aiyer, M. S.; Chiappa, S. A.; Fink, G., A priming effect of luteinizing hormone factor on the anterior pituitary gland in the female rat. Journal of endocrinology 62:573–588, 1974.