Selective inhibition by progesterone of androgen-induced behavior in male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria).

Abstract

Male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) were castrated and then tested 7 days later, when both the bowing-coo and the nest-call (2 items of male sexual behavior) had disappeared. They were then injected daily for 14 days with testosterone propionate (.2 mg/day/bird), after which the occurrence of these 2 behavior patterns was again assessed. Both items of behavior had been significantly reinstated as a result of the androgen replacement therapy. The birds were then divided into 4 groups for a further period of 7 days of treatment, as follows: 1) (N=10) testosterone propionate treatment continued; 2) (N=10) testosterone propionate continued with added progesterone (.1 mg/day/ bird); 3) (N = 7) no hormone treatment; 4) (N =9) progesterone treatment alone (.1 mg/day /bird). Progesterone, in the presence of the circulating androgen, virtually completely inhibited the occurrence of the bowing-coo. The effect of adding progesterone to the administered androgen during these 7 days was the same as that of withdraw...