The challenge hypothesis outlines the dynamic relationship between testosterone and aggression in mating contexts. It proposes that testosterone promotes aggression when it would be beneficial for reproduction, such as mate guarding, or strategies designed to prevent the encroachment of intrasexual rivals.[1] The positive correlation between reproductive aggression and testosterone levels is seen to be strongest during times of social instability.[2] The challenge hypothesis predicts that seasonal patterns in testosterone levels are a function of mating system (monogamy versus polygyny), paternal care, and male-male aggression in seasonal breeders.
The pattern between testosterone and aggression was first observed in seasonally breeding birds, where testosterone levels rise modestly with the onset of the breeding season to support basic reproductive functions. However, during periods of heightened male aggression, testosterone levels increase further to a maximum physiological level. This additional boost in testosterone appears to facilitate male-male aggression, particularly during territory formation and mate guarding, and is also characterized by a lack of paternal care.[3] The challenge hypothesis has come to explain patterns of testosterone production as predictive of aggression across more than 60 species.[4]
^Buss, D. M. (2002). "Human mate guarding". Neuroendocrinology Letters. 23: 23–29. PMID 12496732.
^Cavigelli, A. Sonia; Pereira, E. Michael (May 2000). "Mating Season Aggression and Fecal Testosterone Levels in Male Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta)". Hormones and Behavior. 37 (3): 246–255. doi:10.1006/hbeh.2000.1585. PMID 10868488. S2CID 14160732 – via Science Direct.
^Wingfield, J. C.; Hegner, R. E.; Dufty, A. M.; Ball, G. F. (1990). "The 'challenge hypothesis': Theoretical implications for patterns of testosterone secretion, mating systems and breeding strategies". American Naturalist. 136 (6): 829–846. doi:10.1086/285134. S2CID 84509821.
^Wingfield, J.C., Jacobs, J.D., Tramontin, A.D., Perfito, N., Meddle, S., Maney, D.L., Soma, K. (2000). Toward an ecological basis of hormone-behavior interactions in reproduction of birds. In: Wallen, K., Schneider, J. (Eds.), Reproduction in Context. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, pp. 85–128.
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