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Reproduction elevates the corticosterone stress response in common fruit bats
Stefan M Klose1, Carolynn L Smith, Andrea J Denzel
1Ecological Endocrinology Lab, EEL, Department of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Albert Einstein Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany. stefan.klose@uni-ulm.de
Summary
Reproductive condition significantly alters the corticosteroid stress response in fruit-eating bats. Females show a rapid, high, and fast-declining response, while males exhibit a weaker, delayed response during reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Ecology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-andrenal (HPA) axis regulates stress responses.
- Reproductive state and environmental factors can influence HPA axis sensitivity.
- Limited data exists on corticosteroid stress response dynamics in tropical mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how reproductive condition and seasonality modulate corticosterone release in common fruit-eating bats (Artibeus jamaicensis).
- To understand sex-specific differences in the corticosteroid stress response.
Main Methods:
- Studied 326 free-living Artibeus jamaicensis on Barro Colorado Island, Panama.
- Collected data during dry and wet seasons.
- Measured corticosterone levels in relation to reproductive status and seasonality.
Main Results:
- Reproductive condition strongly modulates stress sensitivity.
- Reproductively active females exhibited faster, higher, and quicker-declining corticosterone levels compared to inactive females.
- Reproducing males showed a weaker and delayed corticosterone response compared to females and non-reproductive males; testes volume correlated negatively with corticosterone.
Conclusions:
- Sex-specific dynamics in corticosterone stress response suggest adaptations to conflicting ecological demands.
- In females, a robust acute response may enhance risk sensitivity for reproductive protection.
- In males, suppressed stress response during reproduction may prevent chronic elevation during aggressive encounters.