4. HORMONES AND BEHAVIOR
223
ties are only speculative. Corresponding changes do not occur in the
female rook Corvus frugilegus, in which both sexes were studied (261,
(312). Early in May when the seminiferous tubules were packed with
cholesterol-positive lipids, follicular growth to a diameter of about 800 μ
continued and each follicle involuted to form its quota of interstitial
cells, which are believed to be estrogenic in function.
Uncertainty exists with respect to the cellular origin of the ovarian
steroids. In addition to the reviews by Marshall (230), Parkes and
Marshall (208), and van Tienhoven (299), the original investigations
by Taber (313) and Marshall and Coombs (312) can be consulted for
the background of older studies. The latter investigators present evidence for the view that "thecal gland cells," also called "ex-follicular
cells" because of their origin, secrete estrogens and that "stromal gland
cells" of interstitial origin are a source of androgen. The latter are called
"female interstitial cells" and are believed to be homologous with the
Leydig cells in the male. An ingenious experiment by Taber (313)
involved the withdrawal of exogenous gonadotropic stimulation from the
Brown Leghorn fowl which was accompanied by regression of the comb
and the reappearance of lipid-filled interstitial cells in the testes of males
and in the ovarian medulla of females. She concluded that the two types
of cells are similar and are responsible for the secretion of androgen.
Conclusive evidence with respect to the cellular origin of progesterone
has not been obtained. Its origin from both developing and atretic follicles has been suggested (312, 314). If a corpus luteum is present (197,
198, 312, 315), it is short-lived.
A discussion of the relationship between the gonadal hormones and
behavior in birds is an appropriate place to recall that the importance
of the soma or substrate for the character of a response elicited by hormonal action may first have been noted in a report of the failure of
implanted ovarian tissue to feminize the behavior of castrated male fowl
(316). Variation in the relationships of the gonadal hormones to behavior is seen in birds which may be greater than that in any other
phylum. Many examples of ambisexuality are called to our attention by
Beach (2) and Lehrman (7): males and females build nests, share in
incubation and in the care of the young. In the fall female British starlings, Sturnus v. vulgaris, display masculine behavior which is displayed
in the spring only by males (252). Females of the woodpecker genus,
Dendrocopus, may take the lead in pair formation in the fall and, by the
courtship act of drumming attract a male to the winter territory (259).
Some female British robins, Erithacus rubecula melophilus, sing and
hold territories, although normally these roles are taken by males (260).
A reversal of the roles is characteristic of some species. The female great
223
ties are only speculative. Corresponding changes do not occur in the
female rook Corvus frugilegus, in which both sexes were studied (261,
(312). Early in May when the seminiferous tubules were packed with
cholesterol-positive lipids, follicular growth to a diameter of about 800 μ
continued and each follicle involuted to form its quota of interstitial
cells, which are believed to be estrogenic in function.
Uncertainty exists with respect to the cellular origin of the ovarian
steroids. In addition to the reviews by Marshall (230), Parkes and
Marshall (208), and van Tienhoven (299), the original investigations
by Taber (313) and Marshall and Coombs (312) can be consulted for
the background of older studies. The latter investigators present evidence for the view that "thecal gland cells," also called "ex-follicular
cells" because of their origin, secrete estrogens and that "stromal gland
cells" of interstitial origin are a source of androgen. The latter are called
"female interstitial cells" and are believed to be homologous with the
Leydig cells in the male. An ingenious experiment by Taber (313)
involved the withdrawal of exogenous gonadotropic stimulation from the
Brown Leghorn fowl which was accompanied by regression of the comb
and the reappearance of lipid-filled interstitial cells in the testes of males
and in the ovarian medulla of females. She concluded that the two types
of cells are similar and are responsible for the secretion of androgen.
Conclusive evidence with respect to the cellular origin of progesterone
has not been obtained. Its origin from both developing and atretic follicles has been suggested (312, 314). If a corpus luteum is present (197,
198, 312, 315), it is short-lived.
A discussion of the relationship between the gonadal hormones and
behavior in birds is an appropriate place to recall that the importance
of the soma or substrate for the character of a response elicited by hormonal action may first have been noted in a report of the failure of
implanted ovarian tissue to feminize the behavior of castrated male fowl
(316). Variation in the relationships of the gonadal hormones to behavior is seen in birds which may be greater than that in any other
phylum. Many examples of ambisexuality are called to our attention by
Beach (2) and Lehrman (7): males and females build nests, share in
incubation and in the care of the young. In the fall female British starlings, Sturnus v. vulgaris, display masculine behavior which is displayed
in the spring only by males (252). Females of the woodpecker genus,
Dendrocopus, may take the lead in pair formation in the fall and, by the
courtship act of drumming attract a male to the winter territory (259).
Some female British robins, Erithacus rubecula melophilus, sing and
hold territories, although normally these roles are taken by males (260).
A reversal of the roles is characteristic of some species. The female great