Dominance status and adrenocortical reactivity to stress in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus, Iquitos) were exposed to a sequence of three stresses: A live snake, ether anesthesia, and physical restraint. Plasma cortisol concentrations were determined both following each stress exposure and before and after the sequence of stresses. Dominant males demonstrated lower unstressed plasma cortisol levels than subordinates. Although the form of the relationship between adrenal activity and social dominance differs for the types of stress, dominant animals always show the greatest adrenal reactivity to stress.