Short-term social modulation of 11-ketotestosterone levels in males of the cichlid fish Oreochromis mossambicus during male-female interactions

Borges, Rita Alexandra; Oliveira, Rui Filipe; Almada, Vítor Carvalho; Canário, Adelino V. M.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/1481

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Authors

Borges, Rita Alexandra

Oliveira, Rui Filipe

Almada, Vítor Carvalho

Canário, Adelino V. M.

Abstract(s)

After 48 hours of social isolation male individuals of Oreochromis mossambicus were allowed to interact with a conspecific female in the same aquarium during a period of up to six hours. Colouration exhibited, and frequencie countering and agonistic behaviours performed by the males were recorded before and after social isolation (T0) and six hours after the introduction of the female (T6). Male androgen (testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone, 11-KT) concentrations measured in the urine, at T0 were not correlated to subsequent levels of agonistic and sexual behaviours. However, behavioural interactions were correlated to 11-KT levels at T6. These results suggest a short-term social modulation of 11-KT levels by male-female interaction.