The effects of the antiestrogen CI-628 on sexual behavior activated by androgen or estrogen in quail
Adkins, E.K.; Nock, B.L.
Hormones and Behavior 7(4): 417-429
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0018-506X PMID: 1017805 DOI: 10.1016/0018-506x(76)90013-1Document Number: 431190
Whether conversion of androgen to estrogen is important in the activation of male sexual behavior in quail [Coturnix coturnix japonica] was determined by seeing if an antiestrogen will block androgen stimulated copulation in this species. The ability of 2 antiestrogens, MER-25 [1-(p-2-diethylaminoethoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-2-p-methoxyphenylethanol] (5 mg/day) and CI-628 [1-[2-(p-[.alpha.-(p-methoxyphenyl)-.beta.-nitrostyryl]phenoxy)ethyl]pyrrolidine monocitrate] (2 mg/day), to block estrogen stimulated characteristics in female quail was compared. Both treatments greatly reduced oviduct growth in photically castrated females given estradiol benzoate (EB, 50 .mu.g/day), but only CI-628 reduced receptivity in these birds. Surgically castrated males given 50 .mu.g/day EB together with 2 mg/day CI-628 were much less receptive than castrated males given EB alone and in addition copulated in fewer tests. Castrated males given testosterone propionate (TP) together with CI-628 were compared with males given TP alone. The ability of CI-628 to suppress TP-stimulated copulation increased with increasing CI/TP dosage ratio and, at the highest ratio (4:1), CI-628 effectively blocked copulation in 5 out of 7 birds. Those birds that did copulate did so in fewer tests and performed fewer cloacal contact movements. CI-628 had no antiandrogenic effects. These results suggest that estrogens may be important active metabolites of testosterone with respect to quail copulation.