The Effect of Synthetic Estrogen on Male Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) Courtship Behavior

Dustin Cochran, Madeleine Naylor, Jennifer Grindstaff

Abstract


Estrogen plays an important function in the establishment of pair bonding and communal relationship behavior, as well as the development of reproductive organs in birds. Therefore, if the amount of estrogen is altered within an individual it could cause a change in the behavior or reproductive abilities of the finches. 17α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2) is a form of synthetic estrogen in oral contraceptives that has been found to enter waterways via water treatment plants, and has been known to bind to estrogen receptors in the same way as natural estrogen. Because of this ability to bind to estrogen receptors, I tested the effects of various levels of EE2 exposure on the reproductive behaviors of male Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia guttate). In order to determine the effects of EE2, we divided zebra finch males into three treatment groups (control, 4 ng EE2 and 100 ng EE2) and used a video camera to record the courtship behavior of the different male treatment groups when exposed to female Zebra Finches. EE2 exposure did not appear to alter male courtship behavior, but after observing the males we were able to establish a relationship between male mounting and female tail fluttering during normal courtship.

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References


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