Testosterone, a steroid hormone primarily produced in the testes of males and to a lesser extent in the ovaries of females, plays a pivotal role in various physiological processes. So for aggression, as for most other behaviours, how an animal behaves as an adult is not the expression of blind instinct in the adult individual, nor is it simply the result of experiences during development. For example, gentle early handling by humans reduces aggression in mice that come from nonaggressive strains but not in mice from aggressive strains. The well-known effects of genetics on aggression notwithstanding, the environment in which a young animal is raised also has profound effects on whether, and how, it fights as an adult. Use of molecular genetic techniques has further demonstrated the importance of genetic differences in generating variation in aggressive behaviour and has shown how these effects may be mediated. A recent PET study In 17 males of serotonin 5-HT1a inhibitory receptors binding potential in the prefrontal area and midbrain, demonstrated a higher number of 5-HT inhibitory receptors in the prefrontal area in subjects with the higher self reported aggressive scores (38). Locally produced testosterone and estradiol coupling with the receptors may receive a greater variety of enhancing or diminishing influences and these could modulate their effect on aggressiveness more than the testosterone produced by the Leydig cells, which are only stimulated by luteinizing hormone (LH). In a series of such studies, which gave conflicting results, the majority of these confirmed the relationship of testosterone with aggressiveness reported in prisoners (4). Ten out of 11 inmates with the highest testosterone concentrations had committed violent crimes, whereas 9 out of 11 who had committed non-violent crimes had the lowest testosterone levels. This cascade should include sensory systems (i.e., visual, auditory, and olfactory cues) as well as ensuing effects on motivational and motor processes, but it is difficult to disentangle whether T levels are affected by the perception of a competitor vs. the subject's own aggressive intent or performance. How do we reconcile situations in which T demonstrably promotes aggression, yet circulating T levels do not rise after a social challenges? It is an unresolved empirical question whether some of this behavioral variation stems from individual differences in the seasonal regulation of T. These studies highlight that relationships between T and aggression can change over the annual cycle, with stronger coupling at some times of the year and decoupling at other times of the year. For example, male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) and spotted antbirds (Hylophylax naevioides) still respond aggressively to simulated territorial intruders during the non-breeding months, even though T levels in circulation are essentially undetectable (Wingfield 1994; Hau et al. 2004). Therefore, upon finding that circulating T and aggression are not correlated among individuals—despite experimental evidence that T does increase aggression—one must also consider other parts of the signaling pathway. Though one or another of these endocrine parameters may be correlated with T production, that is not necessarily the case (Lipshutz et al. 2019), suggesting that some individuals may have lower T levels in circulation but they get "more bang for their buck" via high sensitivity to that T (sensu Canoine et al. 2007). Longitudinal studies may provide insights into the dynamic nature of the relationship, capturing changes in testosterone levels and aggressive behaviors over time. There are, however, studies suggesting that high testosterone levels in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and saliva may predict aggressive behavior (22), violent crime (14, 15), and antisocial personality disorder (23), among men. Research suggests that testosterone levels may influence individuals’ behaviors and strategies in social interactions, impacting their position within a social hierarchy. There is evidence that testosterone levels are higher in individuals with aggressive behavior, such as prisoners who have committed violent crimes. The aggressive behaviors observed in women who live in a very violent community may be under the influence of testosterone. However, we can argue that just because testosterone and aggressive behaviors are lower among females, it does not mean that the relationship does not exist among women. Rapid fluctuations of testosterone are believed to be effected by non-genomic actions, mainly through the G protein of the membrane since the DNA reaction with an androgen receptor takes time (31). It was also found that an increase in testosterone during the PASP predicted subsequent willingness to choose competitive tasks (3, 28, 29). In PSAP, stealing money from a factitious opponent in a trial to earn money is considered to be an aggressive act as it represents intent to cause harm to the opponent. More sensitive manifestations to subtle aggressive stimuli are regarded to be measures of aggressiveness obtained in the laboratory through paradigms using various combinations to provoke aggressive reactions (3). However, these dominant traits are usually manifested by angry faces or verbal aggression in trials to dominate or to be a winner in competitive tasks (23). Castration experiments demonstrate that testosterone is necessary for violence, but other research has shown that testosterone is not, on its own, sufficient. And when aggression is more narrowly defined as simple physical violence, the connection all but disappears. In more sensitive laboratory paradigms, it has been observed that participant's testosterone rises in the winners of; competitions, dominance trials or in confrontations with factitious opponents. By taking a thoughtful and informed approach to neutering, dog owners can help to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of this procedure, promoting a healthier and happier pet. It’s essential to discuss these risks with a veterinarian and carefully weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of neutering before making a decision. Additionally, neutering can increase the risk of certain health problems, such as obesity, hip dysplasia, and certain types of cancer, particularly if the procedure is performed at an early age. Locally produced testosterone is assumed to be more important in the process of aggressive arousal than testicular testosterone arriving in the circulation. Aggressive behavior arises in the brain through interplay between the subcortical structures in the amygdala and the hypothalamus in which emotions are born and the prefrontal cognitive centers where emotions are perceived and controlled. It is of interest, however, that the administration of high doses of testosterone in normal men had no effect on the self reported aggression scores of the subjects. More creditability comes from a large survey conducted on 4179 normal men which showed higher normal values in subjects with aggressive personality or antisocial conduct (25). The neuroscience underlying the testosterone-aggression relationship involves complex interactions between hormone levels, brain regions, and neurotransmitter systems. Furthermore, the relationship might also be bidirectional, meaning aggressive behaviour could lead to higher testosterone levels, as seen in animal studies . The discussion encompasses theories such as the challenge hypothesis and parental investment theory, which offer evolutionary explanations for the role of testosterone in aggressive behaviors. Examining the broader social context, this section discusses how testosterone-mediated effects on social dominance may contribute to aggressive behavior. This subsection analyzes research exploring the intricate interplay between testosterone and cortisol levels and their joint influence on aggressive behavior. Studies utilizing survey data, behavioral observations, or self-report measures are discussed to provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence linking testosterone levels to aggression. The interplay between testosterone and neurotransmitters forms a crucial link in understanding the hormone’s influence on aggressive behavior. As in the song sparrows, antbirds, and Siberian hamsters, any such deviations have the potential to tell us about the diverse mechanisms that may interact with or override variation in T to influence the adaptive expression of aggression in one or another context. A similar story can be found in both male and female Siberian hamsters, which are more aggressive during non-breeding seasons than during the breeding season (Jasnow et al. 2000; Munley et al. 2022). Similarly, androgen receptor expression in muscle can also explain individual variation in androgen-mediated signaling behavior (Fuxjager et al. 2015). Although many of these questions are explored using among-individual analyses, they also can be explored withinindividuals, except for question 1, which explores a snapshot in time.