Urinary testosterone metabolite levels on bonobos: A comparison with chimpanzees in relation to social system

Bonobo (Pan paniscus) social structure is characterized by partial female dominance, in contrast to the male dominated chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) society. Furthermore, female bonobos exhibit more overt aggressiveness and a prolonged period of proceptivity during menstrual cycle compared to chimpanzees. Since dominance, aggressiveness and proceptivity are suggested to relate to high T levels, we expected T concentrations of bonobo females to be high. To test this, urinary T metabolite concentrations (measured by immunoreactive 5alpha-androstane- 17alpha-ol-3-one) were determined, which reliably reflect T status in both species.

Publication year:2003

Keywords:bonobo, testosterone, sex difference, female dominance, chimpanzee