RESPONSES OF THE FEMALE TO MALE HORMONE SUBSTANCES

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Abstract
Adm. of crystalline [male] hormone substances can produce definite cock-like behavior in either newly-hatched [female] chicks or in the mature hen. The degree of crowing behavior was not proportional to the degree of comb growth, instead seeming to be largely dependent upon factors in the individual bird in addition to the degree of androgenic stimulation. Potentially [male] behavior patterns appear to be preformed but latent in the [female] until activated by adequate stimulation by androgenic substances. They can be exhibited by the androgen-treated [female] even though no cock is present to serve as an example of such behavior. The type of masculine behavior shown by the [female] receiving [male] hormone substance tends toward the type of behavior shown by the [male] of the sp. The limited data presented in this report would suggest, however, that at least under the exptl. conditions employed, the [female][female] responded to the androgen, testosterone propionate, to a lesser degree than the [male][male]. Discussion is given of the ability of the [female] to produce and to respond to [male] hormone substances.