AGING AND REPRODUCTION - COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY OF THE COMMON-TERNAND JAPANESE-QUAIL

The endocrinology of reproductive aging in avian species has been desc ribed primarily in captive domestic birds, such as the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica), which show major changes in hormones and reproduc tive performance. To explore reproductive aging in longer-lived avian species, longitudinal studies are being conducted on the Common Tern ( Sterna hirundo) in which age-related changes in nesting patterns and c lutch size have been monitored. However, little information is availab le relevant to endocrine status of breeding pairs of Common Terns. Thi s review summarizes information pertinent to the breeding biology and endocrine status of the Common Tern during reproductive aging and comp ares these findings to data available from the Japanese quail. Fundame ntal mechanisms in the process of aging in avian species may become ap parent in the comparison of these data and data from field species.