My manuscript on the role of adrenal melatonin type 1 (MT₁) receptors in regulating seasonal plasticity in social behavior was recently published in Hormones and Behavior! In this study, I showed that overexpressing MT₁ receptors in the adrenal glands and exposure to short-day (SD) photoperiods caused similar changes in social behavior, including increased aggression and decreased investigation and self-grooming, in male hamsters. Conversely, timed melatonin administration, but not adrenal MT₁ overexpression, was necessary to induce SD-like reductions in body and reproductive tissue mass. Taken together, my results suggest that adrenal MT₁ receptor signaling modulates social behavior, but not energetics or reproduction in seasonally breeding species.

A link for the manuscript can be found under the “Publications” page and can also be accessed here.