Wingfield J C, Hegner R E, Lewis D M
Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Horm Behav. 1992 Jun;26(2):145-55. doi: 10.1016/0018-506x(92)90038-w.
The white-browed sparrow weaver (Plocepasser mahali) is a cooperatively breeding Ploceid finch that lives in groups of up to 11 individuals. Each group consists of a dominant breeding male and female and a varying number of nonreproductive birds that help feed young and defend the group territory. Experimental removal of the dominant male resulted in attempts by other males to take over the group. Removal of a subordinate, nonbreeding male, as a control, resulted in no change of status among group members. During takeover, there was a transitory increase in plasma levels of luteinizing hormone in the new dominant male, but no change in testosterone levels. As reported in previous investigations, dominant males tended to have higher levels of testosterone than females or subordinate males, but this was not related to the heightened aggression of the takeover. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and corticosterone did not differ between the other status groups. The possibility that luteinizing hormone, or a hitherto unidentified androgen, may regulate aggression in the white-browed sparrow weaver is discussed.
白眉麻雀织雀（Plocepasser mahali）是一种合作繁殖的织布雀科雀类，生活在多达11只个体的群体中。每个群体由一只占主导地位的繁殖雄性和雌性以及数量不等的非繁殖鸟类组成，这些非繁殖鸟类帮助喂养幼鸟并保卫群体领地。实验性地移除占主导地位的雄性会导致其他雄性试图接管群体。作为对照，移除一只从属的非繁殖雄性，群体成员的地位没有变化。在接管过程中，新的占主导地位的雄性体内促黄体生成素的血浆水平暂时升高，但睾酮水平没有变化。如先前研究所报道的，占主导地位的雄性往往比雌性或从属雄性具有更高水平的睾酮，但这与接管时增强的攻击性无关。其他地位群体之间促黄体生成素、睾酮和皮质酮的血浆水平没有差异。本文讨论了促黄体生成素或一种迄今未鉴定的雄激素可能调节白眉麻雀织雀攻击性的可能性。
