The effects of naloxone on courtship and pairing behaviour in male and female zebra finches: the importance of testing mechanisms using multiple paradigms

Behaviour ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L. Tomaszycki ◽  
Joanna H. Schnelker ◽  
Brendon P. Zatirka
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Forced Choice ◽  
Opioid Antagonist ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Partner Preference ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Partner Preferences ◽  
Pair Bonds ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Pairing Behaviour

Opioids are implicated in social attachments, but their role in avian pair bonds is not well understood. The present study tested the effects of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, on pairing using both a forced-choice and a mixed-sex aviary paradigm. First, three doses of naloxone were systemically administered in males using a repeated measures forced-choice design, partner preference formation was tested on the second day. Males treated with 20 mg/kg sang less undirected song. Males treated with 10 mg/kg of naloxone sang less to the familiar partner than when treated with saline and were less likely to form a partner preference than were other treatments. In females, 10 mg/kg of naloxone in a forced-choice paradigm increased preference for the unfamiliar over the familiar male. Finally, males and females were administered either naloxone (10 mg/kg) or saline in a mixed-sex aviary. In females, naloxone increased pairing behaviours, but had no other effects in either sex. Our findings suggest that the effects of naloxone on pairing-related behaviours are context-dependent; male–male competition may decrease the effects of naloxone on male song and a choice of mates may increase affiliation in females in a semi-naturalistic paradigm, and increase preferences for an unfamiliar partner in a forced-choice paradigm. Our findings highlight the importance of using multiple paradigms to test mechanisms of behaviour. These findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of monogamous relationships and suggest that opioids play a role in male courtship, female affiliation and partner preferences in both sexes of zebra finches, but that context is important.

scholarly journals Sex differences in partner preferences in humans and animals

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1688) ◽  
pp. 20150118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Balthazart
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Sex Steroids ◽  
Sexual Partner ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Partner Preference ◽  
Partner Preferences ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Correlative Studies

A large number of morphological, physiological and behavioural traits are differentially expressed by males and females in all vertebrates including humans. These sex differences, sometimes, reflect the different hormonal environment of the adults, but they often remain present after subjects of both sexes are placed in the same endocrine conditions following gonadectomy associated or not with hormonal replacement therapy. They are then the result of combined influences of organizational actions of sex steroids acting early during development, or genetic differences between the sexes, or epigenetic mechanisms differentially affecting males and females. Sexual partner preference is a sexually differentiated behavioural trait that is clearly controlled in animals by the same type of mechanisms. This is also probably true in humans, even if critical experiments that would be needed to obtain scientific proof of this assertion are often impossible for pragmatic or ethical reasons. Clinical, epidemiological and correlative studies provide, however, converging evidence strongly suggesting, if not demonstrating, that endocrine, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms acting during the pre- or perinatal life control human sexual orientation, i.e. homosexuality versus heterosexuality. Whether they interact with postnatal psychosexual influences remains, however, unclear at present.

scholarly journals Behavioral and Endocrine Alterations to Partner Interactions and Offspring Care during Periods of Conflict

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Paciorek ◽  
Leese Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Pair Bond ◽  
Biparental Care ◽  
Resident Male ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Pair Bonds ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Endocrine Alterations

Abstract Biparental care has evolved to ensure successful rearing of offspring. However, separation during periods of care can lead to conflicts that might negatively impact pair bonds and offspring care. In this study, pair-bonded convict cichlids (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) were observed for changes in behavior toward their partners and offspring before and after a period of separation. Males and females were designated either as a Resident (remain with offspring) or Removed (separated from partner and offspring for 5 days) individual. Behaviors between partners and toward offspring were measured before and after separation, and compared to the levels of behavior of control pairs (never separated), as well as individuals introduced to a novel partner instead. Cortisol levels of Resident male and female A. nigrofasciata were assayed using water-borne hormone collection before and after separation. Aggression between pair bond members did increase following reintroduction, but did not lead to the termination of pair bonds. Resident females showed more aggression to novel partners than Resident males. Offspring care decreased in both Resident and Removed females. Experimental pairs decreased the amount of time spent interacting with intruders. Cortisol levels were significantly higher among experimental pairs compared with control pairs that did not experience a separation. Females (both control and experimental) showed small, yet significant increases in cortisol levels, while both control and experimental males did not. These results suggest that while pair bonds appear resilient, prolonged separations influence pair bond and parental care dynamics, both behaviorally and hormonally, and require pairs to re-establish roles, resulting in less time caring for offspring.

scholarly journals Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Pair Bond Maintenance and Potential Neural Substrates in Female Prairie Voles

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre T Walcott ◽  
Andrey E Ryabinin
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Partner Preference ◽  
Drinking Alcohol ◽  
Prairie Voles ◽  
Pair Bonds ◽  
Intimate Partner Relationships ◽  
Partner Relationships

Abstract Aims Discordant heavy alcohol use is a risk factor for disruption of intimate partner relationships. Modeling these relationships in prairie voles indicates that biological effects of alcohol can contribute to this risk. In particular, alcohol consumption disrupted an established preference for a female partner in male prairie voles if the partner was drinking water, but not if the partner was drinking alcohol. The current study investigated the effects of alcohol consumption on pair bonds in female prairie voles. Methods Female and male prairie voles established pair bonds during 1 week of cohabitation. Following cohabitation, females and their partners were put into mesh-divided cages where they were given access to 10% ethanol and water or only water for 1 week. Pair bonds in female prairie voles were tested using the partner preference test (PPT). Following the PPT, we examined oxytocin, vasopressin and FosB immunoreactivity across several brain regions. Results Female prairie voles consumed more alcohol if their male partner was also drinking alcohol, but not if their partner was drinking water. During PPT, females preferred their partner over a stranger, regardless of their partner’s drinking status. Alcohol consumption decreased oxytocin immunoreactivity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and increased FosB immunoreactivity in the centrally projecting Edinger–Westphal nucleus. Conclusions Established partner preference in female prairie voles is resistant to alcohol consumption. This finding suggests that the risk for disruption of intimate partner relationships in females is not mediated by a decreased motivation to be with their partners.

Repeated Measures Battery for the Aged

1987 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 852-856
Author(s):  
Richard H. Shannon
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Basic Ability ◽  
Older Males ◽  
Total Test Time ◽  
Total Test

A battery of 29 reliable, valid and repeatable cognitive and psychomotor paper-and-pencil tests, with each test measuring a specific construct, was used to assess the performance of 48 older males and females. These subjects were divided into three separate age groups: 55–60, 65–70, and 75–80 years. In addition, a group of 16 men and women aged 25–35 served as a control group. This battery is divided into three sub-batteries (A, B and C) which were given on three separate weeks. The emphasis of this paper will be to describe the results of the nine tests contained in sub-battery C. Each test of a basic ability was analyzed separately across a total of five days and fifteen trials, with three trials being given each day. Total test time for each trial was approximately 35 minutes.

Exercise Partner Preferences, Social Physique Anxiety, and Social Discomfort in Exercise Settings among Women University Wellness Center Patrons

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy S. Diehl ◽  
Britton W. Brewer ◽  
Judy L. Van Raalte ◽  
Darlene Shaw ◽  
Patricia L. Fiero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Social Physique Anxiety ◽  
Partner Preference ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Partner Preferences ◽  
Social Discomfort ◽  
University Wellness

In a study examining the relationships between two social psychological factors and exercise partner preferences, 97 women (mean age 32.42; SD = 9.85 years) provided demographic information, indicated their exercise partner preference, and completed measures of social physique anxiety (SPA) and perceived social discomfort (PSD) in exercise settings. Chi-square analyses on PSD and exercise partner preferences revealed significant effects, X2 (4) = 34.53, p < .001. Logistic regression revealed an effect for the SPA X PSD interaction, LR = 0.97, p < .01. When PSD was low, SPA had little impact on the odds of selecting a partner. When PSD and SPA were high, there were far lower odds of selecting an exercise partner. Overall, based upon the results, the number of exercise partners may be an important issue for women and women with high SPA may use an exercise partner to help moderate their anxiety, thereby increasing the palatability of the exercise setting.

scholarly journals Best Practices for Testing the Predictive Validity of Ideal Partner Preference-Matching

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Eastwick ◽  
Eli J. Finkel ◽  
Jeffry A. Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Partner Preference ◽  
Partner Preferences ◽  
Potential Partner ◽  
Ideal Standards ◽  
A Current ◽  
Current Potential ◽  
The Ideal

Many psychological hypotheses require testing whether the similarity between two variables predicts important outcomes. For example, the ideal standards model posits that the match between (A) a participant’s ideal partner preferences, and (B) the traits of a current/potential partner, predicts (C) evaluative outcomes (e.g., the decision to date someone, relationship satisfaction, breakup); tests of the predictive validity of ideal-matching require A × B → C analytic strategies. However, recent articles have incorrectly suggested that documenting a positive samplewide correlation between a participant’s ideals and a current partner’s traits (an A-B correlation) implies that participants pursued, selected, or desired partners with traits that matched their ideals. There are at least six alternative explanations for the emergence of a samplewide A-B correlation; A-B correlations do not provide evidence that ideals guide the selection/evaluation of specific partners. We review appropriately rigorous A × B → C tests that can aid scholars in identifying the circumstances in which ideal-matching exhibits predictive validity.

A TEST OF TWO THEORIES IN THE INITIAL PROCESS STAGE OF COALITION FORMATION

1978 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-146
Author(s):  
John F. Flaherty ◽  
Sidney J. Arenson
Keyword(s):  
Coalition Formation ◽  
Probability Model ◽  
Male Partner ◽  
Partner Preference ◽  
Risk Avoidance ◽  
Preference Data ◽  
Process Stage ◽  
Game Situation ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Weighted Probability

Males and females participated in a coalition formation procedure by interacting with a computer program that simulated a pachisi game situation. All players occupied position A in the triad, where A > B > C and A < (B + C). The female partner preference data supported a weighted probability model of coalition formation over a bargaining theory. The male partner preference data did not support either theory. Females tended to prefer player B and present a lower initial bargaining demand than males. Three of the six factors of the Shure and Meeker personality and attitude schedule which were related to players' initial bargaining demands were authoritarian nationalism, suspiciousness, and risk avoidance. Males and females differed significantly on these same three Shure and Meeker factors.

Fighting success in relation to body mass and drumming activity in the male wolf spider Hygrolycosa rubrofasciata

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1532-1535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janne Kotiaho ◽  
Rauno V. Alatalo ◽  
Johanna Mappes ◽  
Silja Parri
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Wolf Spider ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
Hygrolycosa Rubrofasciata ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Agonistic Encounters

In the wolf spider Hygrolycosa rubrofasciata, males court females by drumming dry leaves with their abdomen. Females prefer to mate with the most actively drumming males, and courtship drumming activity is also positively correlated with male viability. However, body mass of the males seems to have only a minor, if any, effect on female choice or male viability. There is also no correlation between male body mass and courtship drumming activity. We studied the effect of body mass and courtship drumming activity on the outcome of agonistic encounters between male H. rubrofasciata. For this purpose, males and females were randomly placed in a plastic arena, where male courtship drumming activity and agonistic encounters were recorded. Large differences in body mass and drumming activity between two rivals seemed to independently increase the probability of the larger or more active males winning. We conclude that while courtship drumming activity affects the fighting success of the males, and body mass more so, male–male interactions may not be of major importance in sexual selection of H. rubrofasciata.

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