Determining the Cause of Increased Neurogenesis in Dominant Rodents: Dissociating the Effects of Social Hierarchies and Testosterone

Dominant male rodents exhibit increased rates of neuron formation (neurogenesis) compared to subordinate rodents. Elevated testosterone levels lead to similar increases in neurogenesis. Because dominant rodents frequently exhibit elevated testosterone levels, individual differences in testosterone production may underlie dominance-related neurogenesis. However, other aspects of dominance hierarchies, such as stress, may also contribute to differences in neurogenesis. The current study aimed to determine the relative contribution of these hormonal and social factors to dominance-related neurogenesis by dissociating them.