Sex, Stress and Reproductive Success

Any events that challenge the survival of living organisms may be classified as stressors. These stressors could include, for example, lack of food, increased population pressure, predatory pressure, climatic events or in the case of humans, loss of a loved one, lack of financial security or uncertainty in the future. Although most physiological systems are affected by stress, those systems that regulate reproductive physiology and behaviour are the most sensitive. All multicellular organisms show a stress related effect on reproduction, although the more complex organisms, such as mammals, have the most complex effects.The objective of this book is to provide a comparative analysis of the mechanisms by which stress regulates reproduction exploring the evolution of stress perceiving systems from the simplest organisms to humans. Taking an integrated approach, utilising a genes-to-environment overview, the book examines the stressors that occur at all levels of organisation. These theories are used to examine and explain human and animal reproductive behaviour and physiology under stressful conditions providing a well-written, concise introduction to this important subject.

David Lovejoy Professor of Neuroendocrinology, Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto

Dalia Barsyte Protagenic Therapeutics Canada Inc., Canada

About the Authors	p. xi
Preface	p. xiii
Acknowledgements	p. xv
Reproduction Under Safe Conditions	p. 1
Introduction	p. 1
What is Stress?	p. 3
Reproduction and Stress	p. 7
Reproduction, Stress and Energy are Intrinsically Interrelated	p. 9
Interaction of Stress and Reproduction :	p. 9
Evolution of Germ Cells	p. 12
Variations in Reproductive Strategies	p. 14
Evolution and Complexity	p. 15
Summary	p. 16
Reproductive Physiology: How is it All Supposed to Work Together?	p. 17
Introduction	p. 17
Neurological Regulation of Reproduction	p. 24
Reproductive Cycles	p. 26
Neurological Regulation of Reproduction	p. 30
Summary	p. 35
The Physiology of Stress: Why Too Much Stress Stops Us from Doing Things We Enjoy	p. 37
Introduction	p. 37
Anxiety and the Evolution of the Stress Response	p. 38
Stress, Anxiety and the Nervous System	p. 42
Autonomic Nervous System	p. 44
Complementary Physiological Systems	p. 49
Integration of HPA/I Components with Other Systems	p. 53
Prolactin and Stress	p. 56
Summary	p. 57
Reproductive and Stress-associated Behaviours: Integrating Differing Needs	p. 59
Introduction	p. 59
An Integrated Approach to Behavioural Modulation	p. 69
Stress and the Modulation of Learning and Behaviour	p. 71
Summary	p. 73
Animals Under Strain: Life is Stressful	p. 75
Introduction	p. 75
Changing Environments and Stress Bottlenecks	p. 76
Environmental Stress-Inducing Factors	p. 77
Migration as Part of a Life Strategy	p. 86
Reproductive Strategy and Habitat Erosion	p. 88
Human Industrial Waste as an Evolutionarily Novel Stressor	p. 90
Anticipation of Stress	p. 92
Nutrition, Toxins and Infertility	p. 93
Summary	p. 95
Saving Women and Children First: Protecting the Progeny	p. 97
Introduction	p. 97
Sexual Selection Costs and Stress	p. 98
Male-Male Interaction Stressors	p. 101
Summary	p. 106
Epigenetic Factors in Reproductive Success: Don't Ignore Your Parents	p. 109
Introduction	p. 109
Epigenetic Actions of Stress on Reproduction	p. 113
Environmental Effects on Epigenetic Regulation	p. 120
Summary	p. 121
Species in Captivity: Stress in Agriculture and Aquaculture and Effects on Habitat Loss	p. 123
Introduction	p. 123
Management of Wild Species	p. 125
Species in Captivity	p. 128
Summary	p. 131
A Cellular Understanding of Stress and its Relationship to Reproduction	p. 133
Introduction	p. 133
Evolution of Cell Stress, Defence and Reproduction	p. 134
Understanding Cell Death	p. 136
Cell Death and Differentiation in Reproductive Development	p. 139
Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Death	p. 140
Heat Shock Proteins in stress and reproduction	p. 141
Relationship between Cell Division and Stress Pathways	p. 141
Summary	p. 143
Stress and Reproduction in Human Society: Implications for the Twenty-First Century	p. 145
Introduction	p. 145
The Unique Biology of Humans	p. 146
Stressors in Human Society	p. 153
Living with Stress	p. 158
Summary	p. 158
Bibliography	p. 161
Glossary	p. 167
Index	p. 173
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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Sex, Stress and Reproductive Success

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