Prolactin levels are elevated after infant carrying in parentally inexperienced common marmosets

R. Lucille Roberts, Kosunique T. Jenkins, Theodore Lawler, Frederick H. Wegner, Janet L. Norcross, Deborah E. Bernhards, John D. Newman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Alloparental behavior (parental behavior directed to nondescendant young) is pervasive among human cultures but rare among other mammals. New World primates of the family Callitrichidae, including common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus), dwell in large families and many family members carry and/or provision infants. This study experimentally characterized alloparenting in common marmosets by measuring infant retrieval and carrying outside of the context of the family group. Prolactin was measured in samples collected before and after infant exposure to determine whether elevated prolactin levels were predictive of alloparental responsiveness. Seventeen nonbreeding, parentally inexperienced, singly or peer-housed common marmosets (10 females, 7 males, 6-66 months of age) were tested repeatedly in an infant retrieval paradigm. Infant retrieval was shown by 5 out of 17 monkeys (29%) in their first test. The rate of retrieval increased to 10 monkeys (59%) by the fourth test. No significant differences in age, sex, or housing condition existed between monkeys that retrieved infants and those not retrieving. Prolactin concentrations were significantly elevated in serum obtained after testing only in monkeys that retrieved infants. Prolactin levels after infant exposure were positively related to carrying duration. A separate experiment verified that neither prolactin nor cortisol was significantly elevated in response to prolonged handling. Cortisol levels were inversely proportional to handling time. Prolactin levels were not significantly related to handling time. Our results indicate that alloparental behavior is expressed at high rates after minimal infant experience, and prolactin levels rise concomitantly with the expression of alloparental behavior in this species.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)713-720
Number of pages8
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume72
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alloparental behavior
  • Callithrix jacchus
  • Cooperative breeding
  • Marmoset
  • Parental behavior
  • Prolactin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Behavioral Neuroscience
  • Physiology (medical)

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