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Copyright of Stratum Plus Journal is the property of P.P. Stratum plus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article outlines the concept of system justification proposed by J. Jost and M. Banaji. Motivational basis of system justification as well as the core assumption that low-status individuals tend to justify the existing system more than high-status individuals are described thoroughly. The factors that enhance system justification motivation as well as the relations between system justification and behavioral patterns that preserve social inequality are described in specific paragraphs.

Copyright of Stratum Plus Journal is the property of P.P. Stratum plus and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The goal of the present study was to evaluate effect of social status and genotype on success of reproduction of male laboratory mice with use of ethological model of social hierarchy of "minimal socium". The model represents the paired maintenance of two male mice of different genotype (PT and CBA/Lac). The mice lived for 30 days in one experimental cage males, two females of the DD/He strain were supplemented. Regardless of genotype, the dominants became fathers more often than the subordinants and got more progeny. It was established that in subordinates there did not occur the complete suppression of fertility. This is suggested to allow them to realize the genetical contribution to the next generation and to remain in the gene pool of population.

To test the current hypotheses on the relationship between the mating system, reproductive strategy, aggression, and secretion of testosterone, a comparative study of interactions in pair encounters, the level of parental care, and the gonadal testosterone level in males was performed in six rodent species (Clethrionomys rutilus, Meriones meridianus, Microtus arvalis, Lagurus lagurus, Lasiopodomys Mandarinus, and Meriones unguiculatus) with different types of spatial-and-ethological population structures (SEPSs). It is shown that this. dependence is absent in species with promiscuous mating and dominance hierarchy among males (C. rutilus and M. meridianus, SEPS type II). A trade-off, or negative correlation, was found in M. arvalis-aspecies with weak pair bonds and male competition for receptive females (SEPS type III). In species with persistent pair bonds and structured family groups (L. Mandarinus and M. unguiculatus, SEPS type IV), no inverse relationship between the secretion of testosterone and paternal behavior was found either. Moreover, in male L. Mandarinus androgens appear to stimulate paternal care.

It was found earlier that winners (male mice with experience 20 daily victories in aggressive agonistic encounters) showed enhanced aggression after a 2-week no-fight period, compared to their respective levels of aggressive behavior before the fighting deprivation. In this work we showed that sucrose solution intake in the deprivation period attenuated the level of post-deprivation aggression and decreased anxiety in such animals. Negative correlations were found between sucrose intake and aggression level. Putative mechanisms of attenuating sucrose effect on aggressive behavior are discussed.

Social hierarchy in the animal community is a structure of behavior relations when members of a social group vary in their ability to acquire resources in the presence of others. The aim of our study was to investigate social dominance effects on development of the reproduction function in male mice. Sperm quality, relative testis and epididymis weights were evaluated in male mice of PT and CBA/Lac inbred strains at 70 day of age after pairing throughout the 32 day period. The effect of social dominance on sperm quality was observed only in males of the CBA/Lac strain. The dominant males had higher sperm count than subordinates or control. The result revealed also higher percent of abnormal sperm among dominant or subordinate males compared with control. It was suggested that the effects of social competition on spermatogenesis depend on a genotype and social status.

Circadian rhythms of horizontal and vertical motor activity and characteristic features of stress dysrhythmia caused by territorial conflict were assessed in ICR outbred mice with polar zoosocial status. The rhythms of diurnal motility of non-stressed dominant and submissive mice do not differ considerably. The territorial conflict causes desynchronosis in both high- and low-ranking animals, manifesting itself through the shift of the acrophase of motor activity and change in spectral parameters of a chronogram.

Using originally designed low inertial open circuit respirometer, we studied influence of the bacterial endotoxin on the bioenergetic gain of male mice, which they showed after 15 min pair-wise test. Injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) provided increase of the post pair-wise test energy metabolism and increase of the relative energy cost of each agonistic act in dominant males. Significant correlation between energy response and number of agonistic acts in the pair-wise test was found only for LPS treated males. Spontaneous activity measured before social conflict and non-agonistic behavior during pair-wise test did not correlate with energy metabolism. Since all behavioral acts need energy and since the significant correlation between energy response and behavioral activity was found only for the agonistic behavior we assume these relationships being a result of synergetic influence on the energy metabolism of both the nonspecific immune response on LPS and neuroendocrine accompaniment of the intermale aggression.

The aim of present study was to reveal the genetic effects on social dominance and patterns of agonistic behaviors in social partners. The study was carried out in adult male mice of three inbred strains BALB/cLac, CBA/Lac and PT using an ethological model of social hierarchy, which is characterised by the minimal size and genetic heterogeneity (two males of different genotypes). We used a neutral territory as the experimental territorial condition for the establishment of social hierarchy. Rank asymmetry in aggressive and defensive behaviors was quickly formed during the first day after the production of the social. Significant interstrain differences in time patterns ofagonistic behavior in dominants and subordinates as well as in the level of social dominance determined as a proportion of dominant animals in the strain were observed. In was shown that, in laboratory mice, the genotype could markedly influence social dominance and the patterns of agonistic behavior in social partners.

The causes of aggression in coral monkeys have been considered taking into account the composition of conflicting pairs and the forms of aggression. It was established that more than 85% of the aggressive interactions occurring on the background of a group calmness, were noted in a context of avoidance of closeness with an undesirable partner, demonstration of hierarchical status, competition for closeness to a preferable partner, competition for the resources, the defense of an infant, and complications during the play and sexual herding.

The goal of the investigation is to establish a new experimental model of social hierarchy in laboratory mice. The important feature of the model is a group of two males only placed into the special experimental cage. The cage consists of two nestling chambers and central chamber. Observations were made 3 times per day (20 min each) throughout 5 days. Aggression, defence and sniffing behaviours of both partners were recorded during each observation period using video camera. Social rank was detected by asymmetry in aggressive behaviour. It was shown that social hierarchy was established during the first four tests limited by the first 24 h after pairing. After this period aggression and defence behaviours were greatly decreased. After the first 5 tests a stabilization in aggression (number of wins, active attacks and not direct aggression) and defence (number of vertical defensive postures and escapes) as well as sniffing behaviours took place. But a strong asymmetry in mentioned here behaviours in males of different ranks (dominants and subordinates) was kept up. Thus we offer a new experimental model of minimal society, which entirely reproduces a pattern of establishment and maintenance of social hierarchy. Our model demonstrates significant differences in agonistic, defence and sniffing behaviours between males of different social rank.

The purpose of the present experiment was to clarify the individuals as an appropriate "control" in research of social interactions in animals. As it has been established for the C57BL/6J mouse strain, the best control animals are individually housed for 5 days males in contrast to males placed with females or with other males in groups of 3-10 mice. Such male mice were less anxious and had high exploratory and motor activities in the elevated plus-maze, open-field, forced swimming and exploratory-activity tests.

The study of post-conflict reconciliation in corral living anubis baboons was carried out. It was established that more than third part of the all the conflicts were followed with reconciliation, and the mean value for the frequency of reconciliation tendency was 27.3 +/- 2.4. The frequency of reconciliation in different categories of conflicting pairs of animals was comparable. 75% of cases of reconciliation occurred during the first 2 minutes after the conflict. Use of definite behavioral patterns by the individuals for demonstration of reconciliation depended on sex of the participants and on their role in the conflict. Differences in the indices of reconciliation tendency in high and low rank monkeys were found.

Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS, 30 mg/kg, i/p, 4 and 28 hours after injection) on CBA/Lac male mice with increased level of anxiety resulting from chronic (20-days) social confrontations in two behavioral anxiety-estimated tests, were studied. The anxiolytic effect of DHEAS was discovered within 4 hours after injection in the "partition test" of social interactions and within 28 hours in "plus-maze test". Naltrexone (0.25 mg/kg, for 20 min before DHEAS injection) blocked this effect.

In mice with different experience of agonistic confrontations: victories or social defeats during 3 and 10 days (T3 and T10 winners and T3 and T10 losers, resp.), T10 winners displayed a lesser aggression and a more hostile behaviour than T3 winners. Naltrexone dose-dependently decreased attacks in the T3 winners and did not affect aggressive grooming, diggings, autogrooming, and exploratory activity. Naltrexone was ineffective in T10 winners. The naltrexone effects were similar in T3 and T10 losers and its high and low doses contrarily affected different parameters of submissive behaviour. The repeated experience of agonistic confrontations seems to modify the naltrexone effects depending on a neurochemical background, differing in winners and losers.

The study was conducted on dominant and inferior albino laboratory mice united in small groups according to linear hierarchy. Naloxone, amphetamine, and 5-hydroxytryptophan were used in the pharmacological tests, estimating, respectively, the pain response in the hot plate test, motor activity in the actometer, and the appearance of the specific stereotyped "head-twitching" response. The dominant subjects were less sensitive to amphetamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan than the inferior of animals, whereas the effect of naloxone depended on the level of the zoosocial stress. Therefore, the rank of the animal in the group is the factor modulating the behavioral effect of the pharmacological agents and should be taken into account in studying the individual sensitivity to them.

The authors studied the effect of naltrexone (0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) on the communicative and aggressive behavior of male C57BL/6J mice with experience in triumphs in 20 tests (victors) and of mice without such experience (novices). The level of communicativeness and aggression at the first confrontation was more marked in novices than in victors. In the novices 0.25 mg/kg naltrexone selectively reduced communicativeness and in a dose of 1.0 mg/kg shortened the sum time of the aggressive attacks, increasing in this case the time of aggressive grooming. In the victors naltrexone in both doses had no effect on the communicative behavior and period of aggressive grooming but increased the duration of the attacks depending on the dose. In both groups naltrexone increased the number of subjects which demonstrated aggressive attacks and reduced the frequency of aggressive grooming. It is concluded that the state of opiate receptors changes under the effect of repeated experience in the triumph of social confrontations.

Sex-age and seasonal variability of the ventral glands and different stereotypes of scent marking behaviour in four Meriones species (M. unguiculatus, M. meridianus, M. libycus, M. tamariscinus) have been studied in nature and under semi-natural conditions. Two major ways of olfactory marking are considered: by secretion of the ventral glands and by "signal heaps" with urine and feces. Intraspecific and inter-species variability of marking activity is investigated. The ventral glands start to function at the period of preparation of a generative system to reproduction. The peak of secretary activity of gland and maximum of two types of marking activity is observed in spring and early summer, i.e. the period of active reproduction. The maximum of two types of the marking activity is observed during this period. In M. tamariscinus and M. meridianus the marking by the ventral gland is prevailing mode of the territory scent marking, while Mongolian gerbils (M. unguiculatus) prefer to use "signal heaps" Libyan gerbils (M. libycus) in this relation take an intermediate position. At the non-productive period a level of marking activity is on 10-20 times lower than at the reproductive season. Besides hormonal, social factors were also important for regulation of marking activity. By influence of these factors the differences in the level of marking activity in high-rank and low-rank individuals and differences in patterns of a spatial distribution of scent marks in individuals of different hierarchical rank is explained. Functional significance of various ways of territory scent marking is discussed.

Comparative analysis of spatial relations of 4 gerbil species (M. tamariscinus M. meridianus, M. libycus, M. unguiculatus) shows differences in the system of space use between species and within a species--between individuals of different sex. During reproduction period females are inclined to isolation, small overlap of home ranges and high degree of individualisation. Males occupy large home ranges overlapping with territories of several reproductive females. The territories occupied by the males of midday and tamarisk gerbils do not have clear boundaries and the level of their individualization is quite low. The males of Mongolian gerbil (M. unguiculatus) occupy well defined territories with high level of individualization. Spatial relations of M. libycus males are intermediate. The relationships of the males of three investigated species (M. meridianus, M. libycus, M. tamariscinus) being characterised by the high degree of asymmetry of pair connections, are organised according to the principle of agonistic dominance. Relationships between individuals of different family groups of Mongolian gerbils are based on the locus-dependent dominance, while within one family group-on principle of hierarchical subordination. The meaning of specific peculiarities in use of space and dominance relations are discussed in terms of reproductive strategies.

The activity of type A and B monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B) was studied in the brain stem and cerebral hemispheres of male mice from the PT and CBA inbred laboratory lines with opposite dominance capabilities and in their direct and reciprocal F1 hybrids. MAO-B activity was shown to be lower in the hemispheres of intact PT males and F1 hybrid males, which are genetically predisposed to social domination, than in CBA males. One-hour social stress imposed by grouping mice into a micropopulation resulted in a decrease in MAO-A and MAO-B activity in the hemispheres of dominant PT and F1 hybrid males and an increase in MAO-B activity in the brain stem of subordinant CBA and dominant F1 males.

Biosynthetic activity in brain catecholaminergic neurons was studied in male mice with genetically determined dominant (PT strain) and subordinate (CBA) behaviour. The dominant PT mice were characterized by higher levels of catecholamines and tyrosine hydroxylase activity in most of the brain regions in comparison with subordinate CBA mice. Percent of animals with dominant type of behaviour was high among the hybrid F1 males derived from PT and CBA mice. These offsprings inherited also the high levels of noradrenaline and dopamine as well as the high tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the striatum and the brain stem. The obtained data suggest that the level of biosynthetic activity in the brain catecholaminergic neurons is essential for coordination of the brain neurochemical systems in expression of the dominant male mice behaviour in a population.

The structure of social relationships was studied in three groups of stumptail macaques: two groups consisted of macaques of different sexes and one group consisted of males only. In the all-male group, as compared to the groups with different sexes, the social hierarchy was less strict and the social status and resulting grooming depended to a great extent on the age. The attractiveness of individuals as objects was the most variable aspect of grooming. The attractiveness increased with age, while individual preferences were less distinct.

Lipid content and free radical processes in brain cortex as well as cAMP content in frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and amygdala were investigated in 20-month old male Wistar rats with different strategies of behaviour in a situation of competition for food and way of its procurance. Four groups of rats were selected in accordance with their strategies, the so-called "workers", "parasites", "inverters", and "lazy rats". Distinctions in brain lipid composition were revealed in animals of different groups. These distinctions were most clearly seen when the cortical lipid extracts from the left and right hemispheres were analysed separately. The content of cAMP was higher in the hypothalamus of "workers" than in this structure of "inverters". However, no intergroup differences were revealed in the content of cAMP in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, and amygdala. Cross-correlation between cAMP levels in the frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and amygdala revealed specific features of correlation of cAMP content in animals with different behavioural strategies.

29 male Wistar rats had been individually trained pressing the bar and receiving the rewards in the box with the feeder-cup and the bar attached to the opposite walls. Constant pairs of rats were formed. Behavior of rats in pairs was observed during 100 sessions in the same box. As a rule, one of the rats performed most of the bar pressings ("a worker") while its partner received the rewards without "working" ("a parasite"). It was possible to classify rats in four groups by their behavior, i. e. "parasites", "working", rats which changed their behavior from "working" for "parasitic" type and vice versa in the course of the experiment, and rats from the pairs where both partners extinguished bar pressing reflex near to zero level. Correlation was shown between behavioral type of rats in paired experiment and individual typological characteristics of fear reaction to different stimuli. Tests of open field behaviour, reaction of choice between the burrow and illuminated area, and emotional resonance were used for testing fear reaction.

The article is devoted to the effect of context on the acoustic activity of bank voles of 4 species (Clethrionomys glareolus, C. centralis, C. rutilus, and C. rufocanus) living in experimental groups. In addition to species differences and social state of a specimen in the group, the acoustic activities of vole is affected by such factors as locomotor activity of the vole itself and its partners (especially dominant ones) and aggression of surrounding voles.

A leader-dominant baboon of a couple took practically all the food in the situation of spatial delayed choice. The subdominant baboon managed to get some food, too, using fast changes of behavioral tactics during the experimental session. The obvious negative state of the subdominant baboon resulted in a severe neurotic breakdown. Long delays in the experimental scheme enabled the subdominant to get up to 50% of the food reinforcement due to the dominant baboons mistakes. The role of changes in the tactics of the monkeys is discussed.

The content of monoamines and their metabolites in different parts of the brain: mesencephalic reticular formation, locus coeruleus, sensomotor cortex was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography in rats with different zoo-social position. Content of dopamine and serotonin in the brain structures studied was found to be different in dominants and subdominants. Maximal changes of monoamines under immobilization stress were observed in dominants.

Some ways of synchronization are identified in the wild pig behaviour, which are parallel body orientation, group getting together and away, individual approaching and moving away, sound signals. Parallel synchronization is characteristic for various compact groups, males and females exposing some differences in the synchronization duration and distances. The synchronization is mainly a property of individuals united by common motivation and interests. Each family union, each offspring group have their own peculiarities of synchronization depending on their structure. Synchronization duration and distances vary by season, while within- and between-group distances are different in ages and sexes. Two ways of appearance of special distances are recognized. The synchronization works as a trigger system regulation spatial distribution of individuals and various social functions.

The article presents the review of modern data of the field and laboratory investigations of primate sexual behavior, cyclicity, reproductive strategies and copulation in different primates taxa: strepsirrhini, platyrrhyni, catarrhini. The specific character, progressiveness and adaptation of some reproductive models are discussed by the authors. A problem of connection between dominance and reproductive success is also discussed, the role of sexual teaching in postnatal ontogenesis, age and hormonal status for expression of sexual behavior are analysed. Some forms of sexual declinations in primates are considered.

An increase in the number of rosette- and plaque-forming cells occurred in aggressive CBA mice whereas the immune response of aggressive animals of another strain (C57BL) did not differ from control values after experiencing 10 fights. The immune response was considerably reduced in submissive C57BL mice under the same conditions. Common neuro transmitter links of the regulation of aggressive and submissive behaviour and immunomodulation, are discussed.

Noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) contents in various brain regions and their dependence on genotype, determining predisposition to domination, were studied during 7 days after the formation of artificial micropopulations consisting of 6 male mice of different genotypes. Significant changes of NA level were found in the olfactory bulbs and in the medulla oblongata and of DA in the hypothalamus and the hippocampus. Genotypic differences in NA levels were found in the hypothalamus and in DA levels--in the hippocampus. Reactions of RT males predisposed to domination differed both in noradrenaline and DA systems of the brain from the reactions of the males genetically predisposed to subordinate type of behaviour. Interconnection between the amines content both inside and between catecholamine systems was revealed.

Intensity and duration of endocrine responses of adrenals and gonads in QT, CBA/Lac male mice and heir first generation reciprocal hybrids (F1) mice, social stress were studied. PT males had higher level of corticosterone in 1 h after stress, the adrenals and gonads reactions being some hrs shorter, as compared with CBA/Lac mice. No differences were observed in dynamics among reciprocal hybrids. They inherited not only high capacity to dominance in micropopulations but also reactions of adrenal activation and gonadal inhibition. Similar results were obtained, when these features were studied in dominant and subordinate males of PT strain mice.

Blood-sucking mosquito fauna, season and circadian activity of predominant species, dynamics of hatching place formation in the villages and on the territories surrounding the Golodnaya and Dzhizakskaya steppes have been studied for many years and the materials have been presented. The data obtained serve as the basis for planning, prophylactic and eliminating measures.

The ability of male mice to dominate in micropopulations, in connection with brain catecholamines was studied. It was shown that the F1 obtained from breeding PT and CBA/Lac which have respectively large and small numbers of high rank males were of high level of dominance in micropopulations. Moreover, they had high levels of noradrenaline and dopamine in hippocampus, striatum and brain stem, and low--in hypothalamus.

The oxidative and phosphorylating functions of mitochondria (M) and their ultrastructure were studied in the myocardium of normal and 6.5-hour immobilized rats that belonged to different zoosocial groups. M from dominant rats under normal conditions were shown to exhibit higher energy and to possess better respiratory energy regulation than those of "outcast" rats. However, the ultrastructure of M had no group specificity in normal. The immobilization caused more profound changes in M from the dominant rats and led to a more pronounced swelling of M in the myocardium of the above rats than in the "outcast". M from the subdominant rats were most resistant to an immobilization stress.

Voluntary ethanol consumption (20% solution) in mice of C57BL/6J strain with different experience in social agonistic confrontations was studied. It has been shown, that aggressive males daily winning other individuals did not change the level of ethanol consumption, while the submissive mice with daily experience of defeat in intermale encounters dramatically increased that level. Ethanol enhanced the behavioural reactivity of submissive animals to other individuals. It was supposed that emotionally positive or negative states differentiate the ethanol motivations in mice.

Effect was studied of catecholamine systems of the brain in the establishment of dominant-subordinate relations in artificial micropopulations formed of six males. Decrease of norepinephrine and dopamine content by the injection of alpha-methyl-DL-tyrosine and decrease of norepinephrine alone by means of FLA-57 and also norepinephrine decrease and dopamine increase caused by combined injection of FLA-57 and alpha-DOPA were accompanied by a transfer of dominant and subdominant animals into the rank of subordinates. Changes of correlation between catecholamines probably had specific effect on zoosocial dominance of animals in micropopulation because changes were not found in the motor activity against the background of these preparations. Conclusion is made that brain catecholamines have a principle significance in dominance control.

Taking into account socio-oriented symptoms of affective disorders, a method of zoosocial hierarchy of rats was used for biological testing of the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with manic and depressive syndromes. Cerebrospinal fluid and its fractions were administered before and after treatment by trypsin into suboccipital cistern of "dominants" and "subordinates" of the community. A change of behaviour was observed, the character of which depended on the phase of donor's psychosis. Low-molecular fraction of the cerebrospinal fluid possessed specific activity, which disappeared after the treatment by trypsin, what allowed to suggest oligopeptide nature of the active factors.

Spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) of the male rats possesses significant individual differences. The daily volume of this activity is sufficiently stable for each separate individual. Animals with high and low SLA also differ in daily dynamics of this parameter. The behaviour of the rats with low SLA was characterized by lesser orienting activity and greater emotional reactivity in comparison to the rats with high SLA. By means of factor analysis it was established that, along with searching activity, emotional reactivity and alimentary motivation, the need in motor activity is one of the main inner factors, determining various manifestations of adaptive behaviour.

Mice of C57BL/6J line with higher exploratory and motor activities and with lower emotionality and pain threshold recorded in standard tests, as compared with the animals of CBA/Lac line, have also been found to manifest a more expressed aggression in their intermale contacts in reaction to a syngeneous partner. It is suggested that the studied physiological and behavioural parameters may determine in considerable degree the character of aggressive and submissive mice behaviour in an agonistic interaction.