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Physiol Behav

Title:		Sex steroid regulation of chin-marking behavior in male New Zealand rabbits
Author(s):		Gonzalez-Mariscal G; Melo AI; Zavala A; Chirino R; Beyer C;
Address:		"Centro de Investigacion en Reproduccion Animal, CINVESTAV-Universidad Autonoma de Tlaxcala, Tlax, Mexico"
Journal Title:		Physiol Behav
Year:		1993
Volume:		54
Issue:		6
Page Number:		1035 - 1040
DOI:		10.1016/0031-9384(93)90321-6
ISSN/ISBN:		0031-9384 (Print) 0031-9384 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Chin-marking behavior (chinning) was evaluated daily in nine intact adult male rabbits. All subjects (Ss) displayed chinning (mean of means +/- SE = 61 +/- 7 marks/10 min) but the frequency of this behavior varied largely across them (range of mean chinning frequency = 19-84 marks/10 min). Chinning frequency showed abrupt variations at intervals of 2-3 days, but periodogram analysis did not reveal the existence of an endogenous rhythm in this behavior. Castration significantly decreased (mean of means +/- SE = 29 +/- 9 marks/10 min; p < 0.01). but did not suppress chinning. Testosterone propionate (TP; 1 mg/day for 16 days) restored chinning in castrated Ss to slightly below precastration levels (mean +/- S.E. V 53 +/- 13 marks/10 min). The daily administration of 1 microgram estradiol benzoate (EB) plus 1 mg dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP) stimulated chinning within 2 days (mean increase = 147%; p < 0.005). DHTP (1 mg/day) given alone stimulated chinning only after 11 days of treatment (mean increase = 475%; p < 0.01). At higher doses, both DHTP (10 mg/day) and EB (10 or 50 micrograms/day) stimulated chinning by 450%, 80%, and 100%, respectively, over baseline values. Results indicate that chinning largely depends on testicular steroids. Androgen receptor occupation by T or DHT, which is enhanced by E, optimally activates chinning"
Keywords:		"Animal Communication Animals Dihydrotestosterone/metabolism Estradiol/physiology Gonadal Steroid Hormones/*physiology Male Orchiectomy Rabbits Sex Attractants/physiology Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology Smell/physiology Social Environment Testosterone/;"
Notes:		"MedlineGonzalez-Mariscal, G Melo, A I Zavala, A Chirino, R Beyer, C eng 1993/12/01 Physiol Behav. 1993 Dec; 54(6):1035-40. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(93)90321-6"