Courtship vocalizations: A potential biomarker of adult exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds?

Abstract

In rodents, male courtship is stimulated by pheromones emitted by the sexually receptive female. In response, the male produces ultrasonic vocalizations, which appear to play a role in female attraction and facilitate copulation. The present review summarizes the main findings on courtship vocalizations and their tight regulation by sex steroid hormones. It describes studies that address the effects of exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC) on ultrasound production, as changes in hormone levels or their signaling pathways may interfere with the emission of ultrasonic vocalizations. It also discusses the potential use of this behavior as a noninvasive biomarker of adult exposure to EDC.

Keywords: Behavior; Courtship; Endocrine disruption; Rodents; Sex steroids; Ultrasonic vocalizations.