Gonadal hormone specificity in the sexual behavior of ring doves

Abstract

1. Specific effects of gonadal hormones on male and female sexual behavior in ring doves ( Streptopelia risoria) were studied as follows: Reproductively experienced male and female ring doves were castrated and (a) treated with testosterone proprionate (TP; ranging 200–800 μg) then tested with responsive females or (b) treated with estradiol benzoate (EB, ranging 50–200 μg) and tested with active males for sexual behavior. 2. The main findings were: (1) Male specific behavior patterns, such as bow-cooing and hop-charging are readily induced by TP but not by EB; conversely female specific behavior patterns, such as sexual squatting are readily induced in both sexes by EB but not by TP. (ii) Isomorphic behavior pattern, such as wingflipping and nest-soliciting are more easily induced by TP than EB in males, and EB than TP in females. 3. The results are interpreted in support of hormone specific effects and discussed in conjunction with relevant data on rats.