01 April 2005 : Original article
Testosterone and aggressiveness
Marco Giammanco, Garden Tabacchi, Santo Giammanco, Danila Di Majo, Maurizio La GuardiaMed Sci Monit 2005; 11(4): RA136-145 :: ID: 15910
Abstract
Aggressiveness is an ancestral behavior common to all animal species. Its neurophysiological mechanisms are similar in all vertebrates. Males are generally more aggressive than females. In this review, aggressive behavior in rodents, monkeys, and man and the role of testosterone and brain serotonin levels have been considered. Interspecific aggressiveness in rats has been studied considering the mouse-killing behavior; the neonatal androgenization of females increases adult mouse-killing as does the administration of testosterone in adults. Intraspecific aggressiveness was studied by putting two or more male rats (or mice) in the same cage; the condition of subjection or dominance is influenced by testosterone.
In monkeys, testosterone is related to aggressiveness and dominance and, during the mating season, increases in testosterone levels and aggressive attitude are observed. In men, higher testosterone levels were obtained in perpetrators of violent crimes, in men from the army with antisocial behaviors, in subjects with impulsive behaviors, alcoholics and suicidals, in athletes using steroids, and during competitions. Aggressive and dominant behavior are distinguished. Testosterone influences both of these, even if man is usually inclined to affirm his power without causing physical damage. Testosterone receptors are mainly in some hypothalamic neurons, where it is aromatized into estrogens, which determine the increase in aggressiveness. A relation between testosterone levels and diencephalic serotonin has been shown: in fact, the lack of serotonin increases aggressive behaviors both in animals and man. Testosterone also increases ADH levels in the medial amygdala, lateral hypothalamus, and preoptical medial area, involved in aggressive behaviors.
Keywords: Aggression - physiology, Aggression - physiology, Haplorhini, Social Dominance, Sports, Testosterone - physiology
1432 152
Editorial
01 May 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Twenty Years On from Sequencing the Human Genome, Personalized/Precision Oncology Prepares to Meet the Challenges of Checkpoint Inhibitor TherapyDOI: 10.12659/MSM.940911
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940911
In Press
28 May 2023 : Database Analysis
Scientometric and Visualized Analysis of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Magnetic Resonance Imaging: 1988-2021Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938715
25 May 2023 : Database Analysis
The COVID-19 Crisis and the Incidence of Alcohol-Related Deaths in PolandMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940904
25 May 2023 : Review article
A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies in Support of the Role of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940635
25 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Periapical Lesions and Missed Canals in Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomographic Stud...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.940533
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952