Androgens and reproductive behavior in ovariectomized ring doves.

Eighteen ovariectomized ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) received subcutaneous silastic implants of either testosterone propionate (TP), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP) or cholesterol. Birds were paired daily for 1-hr with intact males. Eleven days after implantation the pairs were observed. Both TP and DHTP activated wingflipping behavior in the females. None of the females showed receptive crouching. Aromatization of testosterone to estrogen does not appear to be involved in wingflipping in female doves. The results suggest that wingflipping in females is not as hormone specific as it appears to be in male doves.