Agonistic Behavior of Pregnant Female Monkeys (Macaca Nemestrina): Possible Influences of Fetal Gonadal Hormones

1 June 1975

journal article
research article
Published by SAGE Publications in Psychological Reports

Vol. 36 (3) , 699-702
https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1975.36.3.699

Abstract

15 pregnant female monkeys ( Macaca nemestrina) were observed and the frequencies of 14 categories of agonistic behavior were recorded. Predictions of sex of fetus were based on relative frequencies of aggressive and submissive behaviors. Correct predictions were made in 11 of 15 cases (P < .06). The relative aggressiveness of females carrying male fetuses (by contrast with those carrying female fetuses) suggests that the secretion of androgens by male fetuses may masculinize the behavior of the female host.

Keywords

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:

Analysis of rhesus monkey vocalizations: Maturation-related sex differences in clear-call frequency
American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 1973
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM: ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Published by Elsevier ,1972
Androgen Secretion by the Fetal and Neonatal Rhesus Monkey¹
Endocrinology, 1970