Meeting Abstract

P2.12  Monday, Jan. 5  Endocrine sensitivity to pheromonal signals in a terrestrial salamander, Plethodon shermani WACK, CL*; SCHUBERT, SN; WOODLEY, SK; Duquesne University; Duquesne University; Duquesne University wackc@duq.edu

Behavioral interactions can induce changes in hormone levels. Furthermore, exposure to social signals involved in behavioral interactions can induce changes in hormone levels. Many amphibians utilize chemosensory cues as social signals. To determine whether endocrine status is modulated by exposure to conspecific chemosensory cues in the plethodontid salamander, Plethodon shermani, we examined the endocrine response to exposure to male courtship pheromones. Two studies, conducted in different years under slightly different experimental conditions, were performed. The first study measured changes in plasma corticosterone, testosterone and estradiol in males, reproductive females, and nonreproductive females after exposure to a saline control and two different chemosensory cues: male courtship pheromones and female skin secretions. This first study found that exposure to male courtship pheromones resulted in increased corticosterone in males. A second study, conducted to confirm the findings of the first experiment, also found that exposure to male courtship pheromones resulted in increased plasma corticosterone in males. This is the first evidence that endocrine status is sensitive to pheromonal signals in an amphibian.