4. HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
219
behavior, all of which are more often a part of the repertoire of the
male, are also seen in many species and in wild species especially in the
fall (217, 230, 251-265). Recent reviews (5, 7) and a sampling of the
vast literature reveal that for no one of these elements can a clear story
be given.
Under certain circumstances aggressive behavior and territorial defense are displayed by females of such diverse species as the ruffed
grouse, Canada goose, domesticated fowl, canary, house wren, and
black-headed gull (266-270).
Inasmuch as androgens probably are
produced by the ovaries of birds (241, 265), and aggressive behavior
is displayed by some female birds following injections of testosterone
propionate (267, 271-274),
the inference might be that aggressive
behavior in intact, untreated females is a response to the androgen.
This may be true for aggressive behavior and for the other types of
"masculine" behavior displayed by the female such as song in the mockingbird (260), male-like mounting (253-255, 259, 262), and courtship
(258). On the other hand, we should not exclude the possibility that
estrogens influence this behavior. They are effective stimulants of masculine behavior in cows (275), and estrogen followed by progesterone
induces male-like mounting in female guinea pigs (276).
Knowledge about the relationship of ovarian hormones to mating
behavior is deficient. Ovariectomy of the bird is difficult and in general
does not seem to have been attempted by investigators interested in
behavior. The castrated pullet or poulard is ' negative" in her behavior
(4, 277). She is described as being shy, inoffensive, and not showing
any of the female reactions. From this observation and from the fact that
nest building, mating, and ovular growth are closely correlated in time
(5, 7), the role of an ovarian hormone or hormones would be assumed.
Partial confirmation of this hypothesis was given by the display of female
behavior following treatment of laughing gulls with an unspecified
estrogen (278) and of chicks with estradiol benzoate (279). In experiments in which bilaterally gonadectomized hens were given estradiol
benzoate, a strong squatting behavior was displayed (279, 280). Two
other possibilities must be noted. Testosterone propionate rather than
estrone was effective in stimulating female behavior in the blackcrowned night heron (241). It should also be recalled that estrogen
and progesterone are produced by hens (281-284) and no one seems to
have used gonadectomized birds in an effort to ascertain whether
estrogen and progesterone are required, as in some mammals (9).
Adams and Herrick (285) did find that progesterone augmented the
squatting behavior of intact 6-week-old chicks when it was administered
following the injection of diethylstilbestrol.
219
behavior, all of which are more often a part of the repertoire of the
male, are also seen in many species and in wild species especially in the
fall (217, 230, 251-265). Recent reviews (5, 7) and a sampling of the
vast literature reveal that for no one of these elements can a clear story
be given.
Under certain circumstances aggressive behavior and territorial defense are displayed by females of such diverse species as the ruffed
grouse, Canada goose, domesticated fowl, canary, house wren, and
black-headed gull (266-270).
Inasmuch as androgens probably are
produced by the ovaries of birds (241, 265), and aggressive behavior
is displayed by some female birds following injections of testosterone
propionate (267, 271-274),
the inference might be that aggressive
behavior in intact, untreated females is a response to the androgen.
This may be true for aggressive behavior and for the other types of
"masculine" behavior displayed by the female such as song in the mockingbird (260), male-like mounting (253-255, 259, 262), and courtship
(258). On the other hand, we should not exclude the possibility that
estrogens influence this behavior. They are effective stimulants of masculine behavior in cows (275), and estrogen followed by progesterone
induces male-like mounting in female guinea pigs (276).
Knowledge about the relationship of ovarian hormones to mating
behavior is deficient. Ovariectomy of the bird is difficult and in general
does not seem to have been attempted by investigators interested in
behavior. The castrated pullet or poulard is ' negative" in her behavior
(4, 277). She is described as being shy, inoffensive, and not showing
any of the female reactions. From this observation and from the fact that
nest building, mating, and ovular growth are closely correlated in time
(5, 7), the role of an ovarian hormone or hormones would be assumed.
Partial confirmation of this hypothesis was given by the display of female
behavior following treatment of laughing gulls with an unspecified
estrogen (278) and of chicks with estradiol benzoate (279). In experiments in which bilaterally gonadectomized hens were given estradiol
benzoate, a strong squatting behavior was displayed (279, 280). Two
other possibilities must be noted. Testosterone propionate rather than
estrone was effective in stimulating female behavior in the blackcrowned night heron (241). It should also be recalled that estrogen
and progesterone are produced by hens (281-284) and no one seems to
have used gonadectomized birds in an effort to ascertain whether
estrogen and progesterone are required, as in some mammals (9).
Adams and Herrick (285) did find that progesterone augmented the
squatting behavior of intact 6-week-old chicks when it was administered
following the injection of diethylstilbestrol.