The functions of rapid increases in testosterone seem paradoxical because they can occur in response to different social contexts, such as male-male aggressive encounters and male-female sexual encounters. This suggests that context may impact the functional consequences of changes in testosterone, whether transient or long term. Many studies, including those with California mice (Peromyscus californicus), have addressed these issues using manipulations and species comparisons, but many areas remain to be investigated. We report a study here that suggests transient increases in testosterone after social competition influence future competitive behavior, but social experience alone may also be critical in determining future behavior. In other rodents, a comparable testosterone surge occurs in response to sexual stimulation, but the function is not entirely understood. In addition to competitive and sexual behavior, testosterone impacts other systems instrumental to social behaviors, including paternal behavior and degree of monogamy. Thus, mechanisms regulated by testosterone, such as the vasopressin and aromatase systems, may also be influenced by rapid surges of testosterone in aggressive or sexual contexts. We discuss how the functions of testosterone may overlap in some contexts.

中文翻译：

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睾酮释放和社会环境：发生的时间和原因

睾丸激素快速增加的功能似乎自相矛盾，因为它们可以响应不同的社会环境而发生，例如男性与男性的攻击性接触和男性与女性的性接触。这表明环境可能会影响睾酮变化的功能后果，无论是暂时的还是长期的。许多研究，包括对加利福尼亚小鼠（Peromyscus californicus）的研究，已经通过操作和物种比较解决了这些问题，但仍有许多领域有待研究。我们在这里报告了一项研究，该研究表明，在社会竞争影响未来的竞争行为后，睾丸激素的短暂增加，但社会经验本身也可能对决定未来的行为至关重要。在其他啮齿动物中，类似的睾丸激素激增是对性刺激的反应，但功能还没有完全理解。除了竞争和性行为外，睾丸激素还会影响其他有助于社会行为的系统，包括父系行为和一夫一妻制的程度。因此，受睾酮调节的机制，如加压素和芳香酶系统，也可能受到攻击性或性环境中睾酮快速激增的影响。我们讨论睾酮的功能如何在某些情况下重叠。