Plasma testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol concentrations, and aromatase activity, during courtship in male Triturus carnifex.
Plasma testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol were monitored during the main phases of male Triturus carnifex courtship. "Inactive" males showed higher levels of testosterone with respect to those found during the various courtship phases. Estradiol was low in "inactive" males, and it reached the highest values at the beginning of the courtship. In addition aromatase activity was higher in the brain of the newts at the beginning of the courtship. These findings seem to support the "aromatization hypothesis" in Triturus carnifex.
Zerani
M
M
Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Animal Biology, University of Camerino, Italy.
Amabili
F
F
Gobbetti
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000097:blood*; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000201:enzymology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D014319:Triturus / Q000502:physiology*
D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D001141:Aromatase