27.05.2019 - 14:03
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Endocrinology Laboratory

The behavioral endocrinology group aims to understand how ecological and social parameters shape the diverse endocrinological patterns in great ape species and humans. While we are mainly interested in the investigation of great ape populations in their natural habitat, which necessitates the collection and measurement of non-invasively collected samples, we make use of the opportunities to collect samples in zoos and sanctuaries to develop and validate new methods. Some of the questions we are currently interested in answering using endocrinological approaches are:

Male reproductive strategies

How do males maximize their reproductive success? How are modes of competition related to androgen and glucocorticoid levels? [more...]

Female reproductive strategies

How do females distribute their matings in relation to the fertile period of their cycle? How reliable are the cues of potential fertility available to males? Are females able to exert mate choice? [more...]

Social bonds and cooperation in chimpanzees and bonobos

How does the identity of partners influence oxytocin and glucocorticoid excretion after cooperative interactions? [more...]

Population differences in female reproductive hormones

How do human populations differ in their female sex steroid levels and what causes this variation? [more...]

Energy balance in African great apes

Are there rank dependent differences in energy balance in African great apes? How is seasonality related to variation in energy balance? Are limits of the chimpanzee distribution range related to energetic constraints? [more...]

Ontogenetic variation in great apes and humans

How do patterns of endocrinological changes during ontogeny vary between humans, bonobos and chimpanzees? [more...]

Method development and validation


Sociality and Health

How are social relationships related to patterns of stress and health in wild chimpanzees? [more...]