behavioral endocrinology
the study of the relationships between the functioning of the endocrine glands and neuroendocrine cells (see neuroendocrinology) and behavior. A variety of endocrine glands, including the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands, have been shown to affect behavior. For example, gonadal secretion of sex hormones influences sexual behavior, and secretion of corticosteroids by the adrenal glands influences physiological and behavioral responses to stress.