HORMONAL CONTROL OF COURTSHIP BEHAVIOUR IN PIGEON (COLUMBA-LIVIA)

Castration and steroid hormone replacement were used to investigate courtship behaviour in unmated male pigeons (Columba livia). Sexual behaviour was eliminated by castration. Displacement preening was markedly reduced but not absent in castrated birds. Exogenous testosterone in pellet form induced normal levels of sexual behaviour in castrated males. Progesterone alone was ineffective. When testosterone and progesterone were simultaneously present, control levels of sexual behaviour were not exceeded. Progesterone inhibition of androgen-induced behaviour appears to occur at the level of the central nervous system since development of the ductus deferens in response to testosterone or to progesterone in concert was equivalent. It is proposed that a progesterone-mediated reduction in sexual behaviour enhances development of parental behaviour in both sexes during the normal reproductive cycle. © 1969.