Effects of castration and androgen replacement on mating in male quail.

Abstract

Ten male quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were observed in a series of standardized mating tests and then castrated. Testing continued for approximately 1 month after operation. Each castrate was then implanted with a pellet of testosterone propionate and given additional behavior tests for several weeks. All sexual responses, including even the tendency to approach the receptive female, were abolished within 8 days after gonadectomy and did not reappear until androgen replacement was instituted. Approach to the female and occasional mounting responses occurred in tests conducted 3 days after the implantation of the hormone pellets, and behavior shown 8 days after the initiation of androgen treatment was comparable in every respect to that displayed prior to castration. Five castrates were tested for 3 months following placement of the original pellet, by which time all sexual responses had again been eliminated. These males were reimplanted and within 8 days had resumed mating at preoperative levels.