Patterns of lemur reproductive and behavioral development

传统上，雄激素与男性发育有关，雌激素与女性发育有关；然而，这两类类固醇在两性中都具有重要的功能，对性别分化、生殖发育和社会行为具有重大意义。与雌激素在雄性中的作用的研究相反，雄激素在脊椎动物雌性中的作用通常被忽视。一个值得注意的例外是对雌性斑点鬣狗(Crocuta Crocuta)雄激素功能的一系列研究-这些研究挑战了我们对传统性别角色的假设，并揭示了一系列以前未知的雌性激素调节机制。使用鬣狗作为预测模型，这里的具体目标将是解决环尾狐猴(狐猴)生物行为发育的基本机制，环尾狐猴是马达加斯加特有的一种濒危原猴灵长类动物。选择L.catta作为这一建议的主题是基于雌性存在一组类似雄性的特征，包括夸张或‘男性化’的外生殖器，与雄性的大小单态，以及积极调节对雄性的社会支配地位。这项拟议的研究将对女性和男性进行比较，以(1)充分描述女性的一系列类似男性的特征，(2)检查这些特征的荷尔蒙相关性和发育过程，以及(3)探索影响性别差异行为表达的社会因素，特别是在攻击、游戏和气味标记期间。作为一种非传统的动物模型，环尾狐猴提供了一个宝贵的机会来检验现有的性别分化理论，探索雄激素在调节雌性攻击行为中的作用，并阐明与雌性驱动的灵长类社会制度进化相关的生物学机制。这项研究的结果可能会对传统上注重男性驱动的机制提出挑衅性的问题，而不是考虑女性的社会和生殖控制。这些发现还可能表明雄激素在雌性哺乳动物中发挥着更广泛的作用，并最终可能有助于重新阐述性别分化理论，以更好地反映女性发育的活跃过程。该项目的更广泛影响将主要通过对本科生和研究生培训的坚定承诺来实现。通过亲身参与研究，促进新的合作和部门间伙伴关系，该项目将提供一个场所，鼓励代表性不足的群体，特别是妇女，追求科学事业。通过与杜克大学灵长类动物中心针对大学、小学和普通公众的现场教育计划共享信息，该项目将有助于加强教育和提高公众对狐猴的认识。此外，在狐猴繁殖方面获得的任何知识最终都可能有利于物种保护工作。

Traditionally, androgens have been linked with male development and estrogens with female development; yet, both classes of steroids are functionally significant in both sexes, with dramatic implications for sexual differentiation, reproductive development, and social behavior. In contrast to studies on the role of estrogens in males, the role of androgens in vertebrate females generally has been overlooked. A notable exception involves a series of studies examining androgen function in the female spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) - research that has challenged our assumptions of traditional sex roles and revealed a set of previously unknown mechanisms of hormonal regulation in females. Using the hyena as a predictive model, the specific aim here will be to address basic mechanisms of biobehavioral development in the ringtailed lemur (Lemur catta), an endangered prosimian primate endemic to Madagascar. The selection of L. catta as the subject of this proposal is based on the existence of a set of male-like characteristics in the female, including exaggerated or 'masculinized' external genitalia, size monomorphism with the male, and aggressively mediated social dominance over males. The proposed research will compare females against males to (1) fully characterize the suite of male-like traits in the female, (2) examine the hormonal correlates and developmental processes of those traits, and (3) explore the social factors influencing the behavioral expression of sex differences, particularly during aggression, play, and scent marking. As a nontraditional animal model, the ringtailed lemur presents an invaluable opportunity to examine current theories of sexual differentiation, to explore the role of androgens in mediating female aggressive behavior, and to elucidate the biological mechanism associated with the evolution of a female-driven social system in primates. The results of this research are likely to raise provocative questions about the traditional focus on male-driven mechanisms at the expense of considering female social and reproductive control. The findings may also suggest a broader role for androgens in female mammals and may ultimately contribute to reformulating the theory of sexual differentiation to better reflect active processes in feminine development.The broader impact of this project will be attained primarily through a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate training. Through hands-on research participation that fosters new collaborations and interdepartmental partnerships, this project will provide a venue for encouraging under-represented groups, particularly women, to pursue careers in science. By sharing information with the Duke University Primate Center's on-site educational program, that targets universities, primary schools, and the general public, this project will contribute to the mission of enhancing education and raising public awareness about lemurs. Moreover, any knowledge gained on lemur reproduction could ultimately benefit species conservation efforts.