Hormone-Induced Sexual Differentiation of Brain and Behavior in Zebra Finches

1980/06/20 by Mark E. Gurney, Masakazu Konishi · 7 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Psychology · #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Primate Behavior and Ecology

paper · doi:10.1126/science.208.4450.1380

openalex publication_date 1980/06/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

The male zebra finch sings, whereas the female does not. This behavioral dimorphism is correlated with the presence of morphological sex differences within the neural substrate that mediates this behavior, the song system. When a female chick is exposed to 17beta-estradiol her song system is subsequently masculinized. Either testosterone or 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone may then induce such a female to sing when an adult.

Citations

• Hormonal basis of sexual differentiation in the Japanese quail.

Cited by

• ParallelFoxP1andFoxP2Expression in Songbird and Human Brain Predicts Functional Interaction
• The Road We Travelled: Discovery, Choreography, and Significance of Brain Replaceable Neurons
• Hormones and the development of sex differences in behavior
• Neural Gonadal Steroid Actions
• Developmental changes in estrogen-sensitive neurons in the forebrain of the zebra finch.
• Australian zebra finch [wikipedia]
• Bird vocalization [wikipedia]