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Testosterone dynamics during encounter: role of emotional factors

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Abstract

This study attempts to develop a new theory to explain the varying dynamics of testosterone levels in dominant (winners) and subordinate (losers) males, both pre- and post-encounter. The crux of our new theory consists of the following four theses: (1) the strengthening of testosterone synthesis is a result of not only the existence of challenges, but also of a positive mood before an encounter that is associated with the anticipation of a victory; (2) in situations where the anticipation of victory is present but the positive mood is absent, no rise in testosterone levels will occur; (3) testosterone acts as a “pleasure” hormone and usually releases in situations where the individual achieves or anticipates possible satisfaction; (4) an increased release of testosterone to the blood not only decreases anxiety but also elevates the mood, which increases animal’s/human’s assertiveness and consequently aggressiveness.

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  1. I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, (former I. Beritashvili Institute of Physiology), Gotua str. 14, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia

    Konstantin Chichinadze

  2. I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia

    Konstantin Chichinadze

  3. A. Natishvili Institute of Morphology, Tbilisi, Georgia

    Ann Lazarashvili, Nodar Chichinadze & Ledi Gachechiladze

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  1. Konstantin Chichinadze
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  2. Ann Lazarashvili
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Correspondence to Konstantin Chichinadze.

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Chichinadze, K., Lazarashvili, A., Chichinadze, N. et al. Testosterone dynamics during encounter: role of emotional factors. J Comp Physiol A 198, 485–494 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-012-0726-1

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