Dynamics of the fecal corticosterone content in males of red, gray-sided, and bank voles (Myodes, Rodentia, Cricetidae) upon sexual maturation

Abstract

The dynamics of the corticosterone content in feces of males are analyzed in red (M. rutilis), graysided (M. rufocanus), and bank (M. glareolus) voles. The ontogenetic dynamics of the corticosterone content in feces of these species collected on the 20th and 40th days are shown to depend differently on the month of their birth. At the same time, the fecal corticosterone content is similar in males of all species that originated from litters with various sizes and shares of males in it. The fecal corticosterone content in the 40-day-old animals is related to the month of birth for all three species. The species-specific features of adrenal activity are found on the 20 and 40 days after the birth of animals. The males of the May and August generations have the highest corticosterone level in feces. The fecal corticosterone content in the red vole males also correlates with the social environs; in addition, socially isolated single males have a higher rate of maturation. The fecal corticosterone in the gray-sided vole males related to the season of start maturation and to the date of birth negatively correlates with sexual maturation. The mature males of those species are found only among the spring–early summer generation. Thus, population factors are important only for maturing males that were born in the current year. Moreover, sexual maturation at a high population density is accompanied by a smaller decrease in the adrenocortical activity.