Do You Count Yourself a Dominant Alpha Male? Ewwww!! You Might Have Parasites!

In a world that tends to admire leaders, dominant figures, and alpha males (as long as it doesn't cross over to douche-baggery.  Jersey Shore I'm looking at you), the EurekAlert! press release The double-edged sword of dominance, had some interesting findings.

A study out of Indiana University and Yale, found that in dominant male chimpanzees, there was an increase in testosterone which often equates to increased aggression, a necessity to maintain dominance.  However, testosterone can also suppress the immune system.

By studying the fecal matter of the chimpanzees, the researchers found a connection with high testosterone levels, high amounts of dominance, and a greater amount unique parasites.  The most dominant males had the highest parasite burden.


That's kind of gross, and this doesn't necesarilly equate to humans, but if it does...


Yuck :)