Cloacal Gland Area Research Articles

Testosterone and sex related physical characteristics during the maturation of the male Japanese quail (coturnix coturnix japonica).

A series of experiments was conducted to examine hormonal and physical aspects of reproduction in the maturing and adult male Japanese Quail. Testicular secretion of testosterone was demonstrated in the adult male by the elevated testosterone concentration in the testicular vein (12 ng/ml serum) as compared to the testosterone concentration in the left ventricle (4.5 ng/ml serum). Testosterone concentrations in the peripheral circulation were found to vary diurnally with high concentrations in the morning and evening and lowered concentrations in the midafternoon. In the maturing male, testosterone concentrations, testicular weight and cloacal gland area remained low until Day 21 and rose rapidly thereafter. Spermatozoa were first detected in the testes on Day 26. By 30 days of age, spermatozoa were found in the testes and in the vasa deferentia in small quantities and by Day 35 there were large concentrations at both sites. There was a significant positive temporal correlation of changes in cloacal gland area, testes weight and circulating concentrations of testosterone.

The ontogeny of crowing and copulatory behavior in Japanese quail ( Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)

The onset and development of sexual behavior were examined in the male Japanese quail. Sixteen individuals were observed for crowing, tested for mating, and measured for cloacal gland area at 2-day intervals from day 10 to day 60 posthatch. Onset of the behaviors occured in a sequence. Crowing began at 32.8 days, mating attempts at 34.3 days and mating (cloacal contacts) at 36.9 days. Frequencies of each of these behaviors inceased rapidly from the time of onset. The order in the onset of sexual behaviors and the subsequent rapid increase in frequencies of all behaviors following their onset, indicates that there may be a single physiological factor which determines the characteristics of these events.

Testosterone and sex-related behavior and morphology: Relationship during maturation and in the adult Japanese Quail

Hormonal, behavioral, and morphological aspects of reproduction were monitored in maturing and in adult male Japanese Quail. In Experiment I, animals were observed daily for crowing, tested for mating, and measured for cloacal gland area. Blood samples were taken on the day the animal first crowed and on the day the animal first mated. Animals initiated crowing significantly earlier than mating (Day 32 vs. Day 35, respectively; P < .05). The concentration of testosterone and the cloacal gland area increased significantly between the onset of crowing and mating ( p < .01). In the second experiment, animals were observed, tested, and sampled between 36 and 94 days of age. Hormonal, behavioral, and morphological variables increased rapidly in time to reach a maximum about which subsequent values oscillated. Attainment of these maxima followed the sequence observed at the onset of sexual behavior and increases in serum testosterone and cloacal gland area. All variables were highly positively correlated in time. Maxima were attained at 44 days for testosterone concentrations, 49 days for crowing, 50 days for cloacal gland area, 52 days for mating attempts, and 81 days for cloacal contacts. This similar sequence in the onset and maxima of sex-related hormonal, behavioral, and morphological characteristics implies a differential activation of target areas which regulate these variables.