Question

There are very few primates who actually HELP raise their offspring... yet, even in humans, when they do, something happens to a hormone in DADs. Can you remember which hormone and what happens to it?

Answer 1

In fathers, the hormone oxytocin increases when they help raise their offspring, enhancing bonding and parenting behaviors. This is observed in primate species including humans, where extensive parental care is needed due to the helplessness of the young at birth.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hormone in question is oxytocin, known for its role in social bonding and reproductive behaviors. During and after the birth of offspring, studies have shown that fathers experience an increase in oxytocin levels, similar to mothers when involved in caregiving activities. The increased levels of oxytocin in fathers can help with bonding with their offspring and may enhance their parenting behaviors. This phenomenon is significant in primate species, including humans, where the young are relatively helpless at birth and require substantial parental investment. Moreover, the long-term parental care that characterizes these species, such as humans, kangaroos, and pandas, is not usually associated with having many offspring because the energy budget dedicated to caring for each offspring limits the number that can be effectively raised.