BEHAVIORAL, IMMUNOLOGICAL, AND HORMONAL RESPONSES ASSOCIATED WITH SOCIAL-CHANGE IN RHESUS-MONKEYS (MACACA-MULATTA)

Twelve animals to be socially reorganized in a group of 49 animals wer e compared with ten animals in a socially stable group (n = 51) for re productive hormones, cortisol concentrations, immune function, and beh avioral patterns for a 6 week baseline and 16 week postreorganization period. Cortisol values, mitogen-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis, and rates of behavior reflected social events. Increased cortisols, incre ased noncontact aggression, and decreased mitogen response were associ ated with animal introductions. Increased cortisol concentration and d ecreased mitogen response correlated significantly only in animals rem oved from the group for trauma, and females successful at group member ship exhibited lower cortisol concentrations. High-ranking animals in small stable groups exhibited significantly higher lymphocyte prolifer ation than middle- or low-ranking animals. While relative ranks establ ished in small groups were maintained following reorganization, baseli ne cortisol values, immune measures, or male testosterone values did n ot predict success at group membership. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.