Role of adrenal hormones in incubation behavior of male ring doves (Streptopelia risoria).

Injected 111 male ring doves intramuscularly with dexamethasone throughout a reproductive cycle in an attempt to suppress adrenocortical secretions. Ss were tested for initiation and maintenance of incubation behavior. Treated Ss showed normal initiation of sitting when observed in their cages, but when they were tested alone in novel cages initiation of incubation tended to be disrupted. Prolonged dexamethasone treatment interfered with maintenance of incubation behavior in both test situations. The deleterious effect of dexamethasone on maintenance of home cage sitting was alleviated by concurrent treatment with prolactin or ACTH. In conclusion, adrenal secretions do not seem to be necessary for onset of incubation in males, but there are hormonal requirements for maintenance of this behavior. (35 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)