Control of reproductive behavior by sex steroids in male quail.

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Abstract
For the purpose of elucidating the biochemical mechanisms by which androgens activate male reproductive behavior in Japanese quail [Coturnix coturnix japonica], 2 experiments were conducted that examined the ability of different sex steroids to stimulate crowing, strutting and copulation. In experiment 1, which was designed to maximize crowing, intact untreated males and castrated males treated with 2 dosages of testosterone propionate (TP), with 2 dosages of dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP), or with oil were tested. The DHTP-treated males crowed extensively; TP-treated males crowed, but to a lesser extent than DHTP-treated males. In experiment 2, which was designed to maximize strutting and copulation, males with photically regressed testes were treated with DHTP, DHTP + estradiol benzoate (EB), or EB alone and were tested with female partners. The DHTP-treated males did not copulate, but 2 birds strutted. The EB-treated males copulated but did not strut. Males receiving DHTP + EB strutted and copulated. Copulation in quail may involve conversion of testosterone to estrogen by the brain and crowing and strutting may involve conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone by the brain. In quail, the different components of male reproductive behavior show divergent patterns of hormone responsiveness, and the neural tissues underlying these behaviors have different molecular requirements for activation by steroids.