Hormonal correlates of hand preference in free-ranging primates.
In this research we examined hormonal correlates of hand preference in free-ranging primates. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that levels of the stress hormone cortisol and the male sex hormone testosterone are correlated with handedness in male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). We found significant positive relationships between cortisol and testosterone levels sampled during adolescence and the frequency of right- versus left-hand use sampled during adulthood. These data indicate that adolescent measures of cortisol and testosterone are correlated with hemispheric specialization in adult free-ranging primates.
Westergaard
G C
GC
Division of Research and Development, LABS of Virginia Inc., Yemassee, SC, USA. Gwprimate@aol.com
Chavanne
T J
TJ
Lussier
I D
ID
Suomi
S J
SJ
Higley
J D
JD
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D006728:Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone