Role of catecholamines in the courtship behavior of male ring doves

The role of catecholamines in the expression of male courtship behavior in ring doves was examined using central administration of pharmacological agents. Males treated with 6-hydroxydopamine or U-14,624, which depleted norepinephrine (NE) levels in the preoptic-hypothalamic area, showed increased levels of bow-coo and nest-coo displays. Conversely, males treated with tyramine or desipramine, which elevated NE levels in the preoptic-hypothalamic area, showed decreased levels of bow-coo and nest-coo displays. Drug-induced changes in dopamine levels were not consistent with any changes in behavior. This suggests that in the male ring dove NE in the preoptic-hypothalamic area is important in the expression of courtship displays.