Graphics //Video
Traces of sex hormones extracted from a woolly mammoth's tusk provide the first direct evidence that adult males experienced musth, a testosterone-driven episode of heightened aggression against rival males, according to a new University of Michigan-led study.
In male elephants, elevated testosterone during musth was previously recognized from blood and urine tests. Musth battles in extinct relatives of modern elephants have been inferred from skeletal injuries, broken tusk tips and other indirect lines of evidence.
But the new study, scheduled for online publication May 3 in the journal Nature, is the first to show that testosterone levels are recorded in the growth layers of mammoth and elephant tusks.
The U-M researchers and their international colleagues report annually recurring testosterone surgesup to 10 times higher than baseline levelswithin a permafrost-preserved woolly mammoth tusk from Siberia. The adult male mammoth lived more than 33,000 years ago.
The testosterone surges seen in the mammoth tusk are consistent with musth-related testosterone peaks the researchers observed in an African bull elephant tusk, according to the study authors. The word "musth" comes from the Hindi and Urdu word for intoxicated.
"Temporal patterns of testosterone preserved in fossil tusks show that, like modern elephants, mature bull mammoths experienced musth," said study lead authorMichael Cherney, a research affiliate at the U-M Museum of Paleontology and a research fellow at the U-M Medical School.
The study demonstrates that both modern and ancient tusks hold traces of testosterone and other steroid hormones. These chemical compounds are incorporated into dentin, the mineralized tissue that makes up the interior portion of all teeth (tusks are elongated upper incisor teeth).
"This study establishes dentin as a useful repository for some hormones and sets the stage for further advances in the developing field of paleoendocrinology," Cherney said. "In addition to broad applications in zoology and paleontology, tooth-hormone records could support medical, forensic and archaeological studies."
Hormones are signaling molecules that help regulate physiology and behavior. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in male vertebrates and is part of the steroid group of hormones. It circulates in the bloodstream and accumulates in various tissues.
Scientists have previously analyzed steroid hormones present in human and animal hair, nails, bones and teeth, in both modern and ancient contexts. But the significance and value of such hormone records have been the subject of ongoing scrutiny and debate.
The authors of the new Nature study say their findings should help change that by demonstrating that steroid records in teeth can provide meaningful biological information that sometimes persists for thousands of years.
"Tusks hold particular promise for reconstructing aspects of mammoth life history because they preserve a record of growth in layers of dentin that form throughout an individual's life," said study co-authorDaniel Fisher, a curator at the U-M Museum of Paleontology and professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
"Because musth is associated with dramatically elevated testosterone in modern elephants, it provides a starting point for assessing the feasibility of using hormones preserved in tusk growth records to investigate temporal changes in endocrine physiology," said Fisher, who is also a professor in the U-M Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
For the study, researchers sampled tusks from one adult African bull elephant and two adult woolly mammothsa male and a femalefrom Siberia. The samples were obtained in accordance with relevant laws and with appropriate permits.
The researchers used CT scans to identify annual growth increments within the tusks. A tiny drill bit, operated under a microscope and moved across a block of dentin using computer-actuated stepper motors, was used to grind contiguous half-millimeter-wide samples representing approximately monthly intervals of dentin growth.
The powder produced during this milling process was collected and chemically analyzed.
The study required new methods, developed in the laboratory of U-M endocrinologist and study co-authorRich Auchus, to extract steroids from tusk dentin for measurement with a mass spectrometer, an instrument that identifies chemical substances by sorting ions according to their mass and charge.
"We had developed steroid mass spectrometry methods for human blood and saliva samples, and we have used them extensively for clinical research studies. But never in a million years did I imagine that we would be using these techniques to explore 'paleoendocrinology,'" said Auchus, professor of internal medicine and pharmacology at the U-M Medical School.
"We did have to modify the method some, because those tusk powders were the dirtiest samples we ever analyzed. When Mike (Cherney) showed me the data from the elephant tusks, I was flabbergasted. Then we saw the same patterns in the mammothwow!"
The African bull elephant is believed to have been 30 to 40 years old when it was killed by a hunter in Botswana in 1963. According to estimates based on growth layers in its tusk, the male woolly mammoth lived to be about 55 years old. Its right tusk was discovered by a diamond-mining company in Siberia in 2007. Radiocarbon dating revealed that the animal lived 33,291 to 38,866 years ago.
The tusk from the female woolly mammoth was discovered on Wrangel Island, which was connected to northeast Siberia in glacial periods of lower sea level but is now separated from it by the Arctic Ocean. Carbon-dating showed an age of 5,597 to 5,885 years before present. (Wrangel Island is the last known place where woolly mammoths survived, until around 4,000 years ago.)
In contrast to the male tusks, testosterone levels from the female woolly mammoth tusk showed little variation over timeas expectedand the average testosterone level was lower than the lowest values in the male mammoth's tusk records.
"With reliable results for some steroids from samples as small as 5 mg of dentin, these methods could be used to investigate records of organisms with smaller teeth, including humans and other hominids," the authors wrote. "Endocrine records in modern and ancient dentin provide a new approach to investigating reproductive ecology, life history, population dynamics, disease, and behavior in modern and prehistoric contexts."
In addition to Cherney, Fisher and Auchus, the authors of the Nature study are Adam Rountrey and Scott Beld of the U-M Museum of Paleontology; Perrin Selcer of the U-M Department of History and the Program in the Environment; Ethan Shirley of the U-M Museum of Paleontology and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences; Bernard Buigues of Mammuthus, France; Dick Mol of the Natural History Museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands; Gennady Boeskorov of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Sergey Vartanyan of the Far-East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and Alexei Tikhonov of the Russian Academy of Sciences and North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk, Russia.
Tusk specimens were CT scanned using laboratories at the U-M School of Dentistry, Ford Motor Co., U-M Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and U-M Orthopaedic Research Laboratories. The study received support from U-M's seed funding program for innovative interdepartmental collaborations, Mcubed 3.0.
"This is one of the reasons we come to work every morning at the University of Michigan: to make discoveries that empower us to see the world in new ways," co-authorSelcersaid. "The project shows you the importance of both collaboration across schoolsthanks to Mcubed 3.0and of the university's instrumentation infrastructure."
Study (available once embargo lifts):Testosterone histories from tusks reveal woolly mammoth musth episodes(DOI 10.1038/s41586-023-06020-9)
Read more from the original source:
New tusk-analysis techniques reveal surging testosterone in male ... - EurekAlert
- Pharmacology and Physiology Faculty Awarded Grants Totaling $1.5 million - Saint Louis University - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- ESAFE - Postdoctoral Position in Molecular Plant Physiology job with MOHAMMED VI POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY ... - Times Higher Education - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Why psychology is as important as physiology for plastic surgery - The Times - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Teaching Level A/B) job with UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA | 372763 - Times Higher Education - May 12th, 2024 [May 12th, 2024]
- Andrew Nuss: Insect physiology lab - University of Nevada, Reno - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Professor awarded prestigious honor for contributions to physiology - University of Miami: News@theU - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Study details five cutting-edge advances in biomedical engineering and their applications in medicine - EurekAlert - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Contextualizing Cellular Physiology - 2024 - NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Salk Institute mourns the loss of Nobel Laureate Roger Guillemin, distinguished professor emeritus - Salk Institute - February 29th, 2024 [February 29th, 2024]
- Bacterial architects build the biofilm structures - Nature.com - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- I'm a professor of physiology - here are 15 ways cyclists can avoid winter illness - CyclingWeekly - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Understanding how natural genetic variation contributes to adaptive responses to low oxygen - News-Medical.Net - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- 'From slow visual feedback to real-time plant physiology' - Verticalfarmdaily.com: global indoor farming news - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- The Future of Space Biology, Physiology, and Medicine: Exploring the Effects of Gravity on Human Cells - Medriva - February 13th, 2024 [February 13th, 2024]
- Master of Science in Medical Physiology program admissions open office hour - The Daily | Case Western Reserve University - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- The Impact of GATAD2B Mutations on Brain Function and Development - Medriva - January 19th, 2024 [January 19th, 2024]
- Influence of Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Hypoxia on AF: A Pulmonary Physiological Perspective - Physician's Weekly - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- MBRSC to host International Society for Gravitational Physiology meeting - BroadcastProME.com - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- If anxiety is in my brain, why is my heart pounding? A psychiatrist explains the neuroscience and physiology of fear - PsyPost - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Renowned Researcher in Physiology to Chair UVA's Department of ... - UVA Health Newsroom - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Research Fellow (Aging and Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory ... - Times Higher Education - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Erratum. Integrated Physiology of the Exocrine and Endocrine ... - Diabetes Journal - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Survey on Value of Flight Nursing Certification Featured in New Air Medical Journal Research Article - Yahoo Finance - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Positive Relationships Can Keep You Healthy - Medscape - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Sex Doesn't Have to be a 'Taboo Thing' - Eagle News - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Kempf and Pakala honored by Boise State Foundation - Boise State University - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- How AI Will Revolutionize Personalized Fitness and Nutrition Plans - MUO - MakeUseOf - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- From the U.S. Navy to Atrium Health: A Nursing Journey - Atrium Health - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- The Importance of PALS Certification for Healthcare Professionals - Eye On Annapolis - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- LPU organized two-day International Conference on Plant ... - :: India News Calling :: - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Ancient human DNA was extracted from a 20,000-year-old deer ... - Science News Magazine - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Effective Physio Care for Mild and Chronic Pain - Movement 101 ... - Digital Journal - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Real Madrid and Abbott inaugurate the Innovation Lab - Real Madrid - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Student Poster Presentation Winners Announced | Northern Today - Northern Today - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- From Spiritual Journey to Physiological Phenomena: The ... - Pager Publications, Inc. - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- How 'digital twins' will revolutionise health - Newsroom - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Conference on role of livestock in food security begins at SKUAST-K - Brighter Kashmir - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Roles of the gut microbiome in weight management - Nature.com - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Noted Science Scholar Stuart Dryer Earns 2023 Farfel Award - University of Houston - May 5th, 2023 [May 5th, 2023]
- Announcing Virtual Press Conference for the American Physiology Summit - Newswise - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- 14 Ohio Indoor Track and Field Members Named Academic All-MAC ... - Ohio University Athletics - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Imagine a World Where You Control If and When You Go Through ... - Oprah Mag - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- HeartFlow, Leader in Revolutionizing Precision Heart Care, Closes ... - BioSpace - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Board grants faculty appointments, promotions - The Source ... - Washington University in St. Louis - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- The Productization of Translational Science, Upcoming Webinar ... - PR Web - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Suicide rate increases during the week of a full moon - Earth.com - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Innovative method predicts the effects of climate change on cold ... - Science Daily - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Research Staff Awards honor contributions to discovery | VUMC ... - VUMC Reporter - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Rady grad students shine at Three Minute Thesis final - UM Today - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- The Physical and Mental Benefits of Stretching Regularly - Laughing Squid - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Olympic silver medalist calls for Nike boycott after retail giant makes Dylan Mulvaney paid ambassador - Fox News - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Ethylene transcriptionally regulates cold stress in grapevine leaves - Phys.org - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Middletown's Libretti inducted into Biology Honor Society at Scranton - themonmouthjournaleastern.com - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Physical therapist assistant students learn compassion as ... - Pennsylvania State University - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Risk of ICU Admission and Related Mortality in Patients... : Critical ... - LWW Journals - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- Phi Beta Kappa Selects New Members at UW | News - University of Wyoming News - April 8th, 2023 [April 8th, 2023]
- National award honors UB biochemist's transformational leadership promoting inclusivity in science - UBNow: News and views for UB faculty and staff -... - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- These are the real benefits of running, according to the science - Livescience.com - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- Are Cold Showers Healthier Than Hot Ones? Science Is Weighing In! - Twisted Sifter - October 12th, 2022 [October 12th, 2022]
- Cardiovascular physiology-changes with aging - PubMed - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology job with UNIVERSITY OF THE SUNSHINE COAST - UNISC | 310457 - Times Higher Education - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- Just 6% of sport science research focuses on female athletes - NutraIngredients.com - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- Governor Abbott Announces $1.7 Million TWC Job Training Grant To Workforce Solutions Cameron - Office of the Texas Governor - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- Aptar and Fluidda partner to ease inhaled drug regulatory pathway - OutSourcing-Pharma.com - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- Studying yeast DNA in space may help protect astronauts from cosmic radiation - The Conversation - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- Andre Balian '23 Is On Call for the Columbia Community - Columbia College - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- Post-Acute Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Cardiac Autonomic Fun | IJGM - Dove Medical Press - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- IARI-ICAR Recruitment 2022: Check Post, Qualification and Other Details Here - StudyCafe - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- We are validating old knowledge with new technology to enhance mental performance:Nimrod Mon Brokman, Behavi.. - ETHealthWorld - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- Sex differences in sprint running performance may be relatively small - News-Medical.Net - October 3rd, 2022 [October 3rd, 2022]
- Limbo is tackling obesity with a pair of wearables and decades of physiology - TechCrunch - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]
- Integrative Physiology | University of Colorado Boulder - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]
- From Africa to the Roman Empire: New Study Reveals 7,000 Years of Donkey Domestication - Horse Network - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]
- Examining stress and the human body - News Center - The University of Texas at Arlington - uta.edu - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]
- Study sheds light on how heat stress affects kidney function - News-Medical.Net - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]
- Breakthrough prize recognizes discovery at MBL of new organizing principle in cells - EurekAlert - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]
- Why professional runners can be disqualified for starting a race after the gun - Vox.com - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]
- Reply to: Revisiting life history and morphological proxies for early mammaliaform metabolic rates - Nature.com - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]
- Is It Dangerous To Drink Beverages That Contain Sodium Benzoate? - Tasting Table - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]
- ExPath Grad Student Madeline Mayday Awarded Grant from the NIDDK Cooperative Centers of Excellence in Hematology - Yale School of Medicine - September 25th, 2022 [September 25th, 2022]