Social interactions and androgen levels in birds: I. Female characteristics associated with increased plasma androgen levels in the male ring dove ( Streptopelia risoria)

Abstract

Male ring doves exposed to female conspecifics exhibit a variety of courtship behaviors and show large and relatively long-lasting elevations in circulating androgens. This series of experiments examined whether (1) a female's gonadal condition and (2) contact or auditory cues from the mating situation influence these changes in male androgen levels and courtship behavior. Pairs of doves were placed in breeding cages, their behavior observed for the first 15 min of exposure, and blood obtained from the males 24 hr after pairing. Androgen levels were determined by an RIA. Males exposed to ovariectomized females had lower androgen levels than males exposed to intact females (2.3 ± 0.3 vs 4.0 ± 0.8 ng/ml, X ± SEM ), indicating that a female's gonadal condition influences a male's endocrine response to her. Deaf males exposed to intact females had lower androgen levels (1.4 ± 0.6 ng/ml) than normal males exposed to females (4.0 ± 0.8 ng/ml), indicating that auditory cues from the mating situation influence female-induced elevations in male plasma androgens. Males exposed to females through glass partitions had androgen levels (2.7 ± 0.6 ng/ml) similar to males given free access to females and higher androgen levels than males in isolation, indicating that contact cues from the mating situation do not necessarily influence female-induced elevations in male plasma androgens. The results also indicate that (1) contact between a pair of doves during early courtship facilitates male aggressive courtship displays and reduces male nest-oriented behavior, and (2) auditory cues from the mating situation facilitates male courtship behavior.