Altered endocrine and behavioral responses with reproductive aging in the male Japanese quail

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to further characterize the age-related decline in reproductive capability previously described in the male Japanese quail. Behavioral testing of a large number of males in several age groups confirmed earlier results that showed a significant reduction in courtship and mating behavior by 80 weeks of age. Intact males, 78 weeks of age, that showed no reproductive behavior were given Silastic implants containing testosterone. This treatment restored behavior in 80% of the males. Gonadal regression induced by exposure to shortened photoperiod followed by transfer to a stimulatory photoperiod did not successfully restore the endocrine or behavioral components of reproduction. Males of two age groups, 42 and 208 weeks of age, were categorized as behaviorally active or inactive and then castrated. Eight weeks later they were given implants containing testosterone. Older males required longer exposure time to the exogenous steroid and in some cases, an additional implant to restore mating behavior as compared to younger males. The presence or absence of behavioral activity prior to castration did not affect the length of time required for restoration of behavior. Challenge with exogenous luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone revealed that there was reduced release of luteinizing hormone in aged, behaviorally inactive males as compared to young males. Results of these experiments in addition to previous data give evidence that age-related changes occur at the level of the hypothalamus and pituitary as well as at the level of the gonads.