title: Exposure of embryos to an aromatization inhibitor increases copulatory behaviour of male quail.
abstract: This experiment examined the possibility that endogenous embryonic androgen contributes to sexual differentiation of behaviour in male or female quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica ), and that it does so via aromatization (conversion to oestrogen). Eggs were injected on day 9 of incubation with oil or ATD (an aromatization inhibitor). As adults, males and females were exposed to short days, injected with testosterone propionate, tested for male-typical behaviour, then injected with oestradiol benzoate and tested for female-typical receptivity. ATD increased the level of male-typical copulatory behaviour in males. Male-typical behaviour in females was not affected, nor was female-typical behaviour in either sex. Thus normal male quail are actually slightly demasculinized by their own androgen during embryonic development, and this process is mediated by aromatization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Section of Neurobiology and Behavior, Uris Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adkins-Regan