TY - JOUR AU - Muehlenbein, Michael P. AU - Watts, David P. PY - 2010 DA - 2010/12/09 TI - The costs of dominance: testosterone, cortisol and intestinal parasites in wild male chimpanzees JO - BioPsychoSocial Medicine SP - 21 VL - 4 IS - 1 AB - Male members of primate species that form multi-male groups typically invest considerable effort into attaining and maintaining high dominance rank. Aggressive behaviors are frequently employed to acquire and maintain dominance status, and testosterone has been considered the quintessential physiological moderator of such behaviors. Testosterone can alter both neurological and musculoskeletal functions that may potentiate pre-existing patterns of aggression. However, elevated testosterone levels impose several costs, including increased metabolic rates and immunosuppression. Cortisol also limits immune and reproductive functions. SN - 1751-0759 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0759-4-21 DO - 10.1186/1751-0759-4-21 ID - Muehlenbein2010 ER -