Hutchison J B, Steimer T
Science. 1981 Jul 10;213(4504):244-6. doi: 10.1126/science.7244635.
Testosterone is converted in the dove (Streptopelia risoria) brain to 5 beta-reduced metabolites that do not affect behavior. In long-term castrated birds, which are relatively insensitive to the behavioral effects of testosterone, the activity of preoptic 5 beta-reductase is increased. The increase, which is specific to the preoptic area, is reversed by estrogen. Inactivation of testosterone by 5 beta-reduction may be involved in the control of brain sensitivity to androgen.
