HORMONAL-CONTROL OF SUBMISSIVENESS IN MICE - IRRELEVANCE OF THE ANDROGENS AND RELEVANCE OF THE PITUITARY-ADRENAL HORMONES

Two experiments were conducted to begin to determine the role of endocrine factors in the control of submissiveness in mice. Experiment 1 examined the effects of castration and showed no effects of reducing androgen levels on the readiness to surrender following attack by an opponent. Experiment 2 examined the effects of manipulating the levels of the pituitary-adrenocortical hormones. This study showed, first, that increasing the level of these hormones increases submissiveness, and, second, that the critical pituitary-adrenal hormone in the control of this agonistic characteristic is corticosterone. These studies, in combination with earlier studies of hormones and aggression, suggest that different hormones are involved in the control of different classes of agonistic responses. © 1979.