The metabolism of caffeine in three non-human primate species

Background/Aims: Biguanides are anti-hyperglycaemic agents used to treat diabetes by acting primarily on the liver, inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis. However, biguanides may target other key metabolic tissues to exert beneficial actions. As the “master endocrine gland”, the pituitary is a true homeostatic sensor that controls whole body homeostasis and metabolism by integrating central and peripheral signals. However, whether the pituitary is a primary site of biguanides action in normal adult humans/primates remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the direct effects of two biguanides (metformin/phenformin) on the expression and secretion of all anterior pituitary hormones in two non-human primate species (Papio anubis and Macaca fascicularis), and the molecular/signalling-mechanisms behind these actions. Methods: Primary pituitary cell cultures from baboons and macaques were used to determine the direct impact of metformin/phenformin (alone and combined with primary regulators) on the functioning of all pituitary cell-types (i.e. expression/secretion/signaling-pathways, etc). Results: Metformin/phenformin inhibited basal, but not GHRH/ghrelin-stimulated GH/ACTH/ FSH-secretion and GH/POMC-expression, without altering secretion or expression of other pituitary hormones (PRL/LH/TSH), FSH-expression or cell viability in both primate models. These biguanide actions are likely mediated through modulation of: 1) common (mTOR/PI3K/intracellular-Ca2+mobilization) and distinct (MAPK) signaling pathways; and 2) gene expression of key receptors regulating somatotrope/corticotrope/gonadotrope function (i.e. upregulation of SSTR2/SSTR5/INSR/IGF1R/LEPR). Conclusion: The pituitary gland is a primary target of biguanide actions wherein they modulate somatotrope/corticotrope/gonadotrope-function through multiple molecular/signaling pathways in non-human primate-models. This suggests that the well-known metabolic effects of biguanides might be, at least in part, influenced by their actions at the pituitary level.

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Correction to ‘Speciation over the edge: gene flow among non-human primate species across a formidable biogeographic barrier’

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.180736 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 180736

Author(s):

Ben J. Evans ◽

Anthony J. Tosi ◽

Kai Zeng ◽

Jonathan Dushoff ◽

André Corvelo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

Primate Species ◽

Biogeographic Barrier ◽

Human Primate

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Inferring functional patterns of tool use behavior from the temporal structure of object play sequences in a non-human primate species

Physiology & Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112938 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 222 ◽

pp. 112938 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Camilla Cenni ◽

Maurizio Casarrubea ◽

Noëlle Gunst ◽

Paul L. Vasey ◽

Sergio M. Pellis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tool Use ◽

Temporal Structure ◽

Primate Species ◽

Object Play ◽

Functional Patterns ◽

Use Behavior ◽

Human Primate

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Climate change impacts on potential future ranges of non-human primate species

Climatic Change ◽

10.1007/s10584-020-02776-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 162 (4) ◽

pp. 2301-2318

Author(s):

Brogan M. Stewart ◽

Sarah E. Turner ◽

H. Damon Matthews

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Primate Species ◽

Human Primate

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Coevolution of vocal communication and sociality in primates

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2005.0366 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 381-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 176

Author(s):

Karen McComb ◽

Stuart Semple

Keyword(s):

Social Behaviour ◽

Vocal Communication ◽

Comparative Method ◽

Social Bonding ◽

Primate Species ◽

Vocal Repertoire ◽

Evolutionary Time ◽

Key Aspects ◽

Essential Prerequisite ◽

Human Primate

Understanding the rules that link communication and social behaviour is an essential prerequisite for discerning how a communication system as complex as human language might have evolved. The comparative method offers a powerful tool for investigating the nature of these rules, since it provides a means to examine relationships between changes in communication abilities and changes in key aspects of social behaviour over evolutionary time. Here we present empirical evidence from phylogenetically controlled analyses indicating that evolutionary increases in the size of the vocal repertoire among non-human primate species were associated with increases in both group size and time spent grooming (our measure of extent of social bonding).

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Clasping Behaviour in Macaca Tonkeana

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/156853984x00010 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 89 (1-2) ◽

pp. 1-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Bernard Thierry

Keyword(s):

Primate Species ◽

Agonistic Interaction ◽

Adult Males ◽

Social Grooming ◽

Substantial Variation ◽

Social Functions ◽

Macaca Tonkeana ◽

Different Origins ◽

Age And Sex ◽

Human Primate

AbstractClasping behaviour was studied in two groups of Macaca tonkeana, one being confined in a cage, the other living in a half-hectare park. Five patterns have been distinguished: grasping the hindquarters, grasping, reaching around, embracing and hugging. Clasping may occur in three contexts: greeting, aggression and sexual harassment. There seems to be no direct relationship between context and pattern of clasping. However, there is substantial variation in form and context according to age- and sex-class. Females are the individuals mostly involved in clasps, being initiators as well as receivers; adult males also initiate numerous clasps but receive few. Adult and subadult males especially use grasping the hindquarters while other age- and sex-classes more often use reaching around. Clasping in aggression is more characteristic of females than males. Several behaviours may be associated with clasping. The accompanying behaviours are more frequent in initiator than in receiver. Clasp is often followed by social grooming, mount, wrestle or another clasp. The results of this study in Macaca tonkeana may be compared with information from other studies of non-human primate species. This allows one to draw several conclusions: 1. Frequency, form and distribution of clasping vary from one species to another. There is great variation in certain species, for instance, Macaca tonkeana. 2. Several behaviours usually accompany clasping and may modulate its meaning. 3. Clasping behaviour shows many similarities to mounting behaviour. Although these two behaviours have different origins, they have acquired similar social functions. 4. Clasping plays a prominent role in control of aggression. In Macaca tonkeana, this behaviour is especially used in appeasement (an individual receiving aggression clasps its aggressor during the aggression), reconciliation (an aggressor clasps its antagonist after the aggression) and non-agonistic protection (a third individual intervenes in an agonistic interaction by clasping the aggressor). Non-agonistic protection is an interaction which was until now described only in chimpanzees.

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