Aromatase inhibition reduces specifically one display of the ring dove courtship behavior

The courtship behavior of the male ring dove (Streptopelia risoria) combine s aggressive displays (chasing, bowing) and nest-oriented displays (nest so liciting). Aggressive displays depend on circulating testosterone, whereas nest soliciting is estrogen-dependent and appears to depend on the aromatiz ation of androgen into estrogen within the brain. The present work tested t he hypothesis that aromatase specifically modulates the nest soliciting dis play in intact male ring doves. Males were tested for courtship behavior wi th receptive females before and after being implanted with micro-osmotic pu mps containing Fadrozole, a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor, or saline. Fa drozole at the higher dose reduced estrogen-dependent nest soliciting but d id not affect androgen-dependent chasing and bowing. These results support the hypothesis that aromatase modulates nest soliciting in male ring doves, and provide further evidence for separate hormonal control of different co urtship displays in this species. (C) 2001 Academic Press.