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1 December 2010 Developmental Changes in Serum Androgen Levels of Eastern Screech-Owls (Megascops asio)
Corinne P. Kozlowski, D. Caldwell Hahn
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Abstract

We studied androgen production during development in nestling Eastern Screech-Owls (Megascops asio) and hypothesized that gender and hatch order might influence serum levels of testosterone and androstenedione. Testosterone levels were highest immediately after hatching and declined significantly in the 4 weeks leading to fledging. The average level of testosterone for 1–7 day-old owls was 3.99 ± 0.68 ng/ml. At 22–28 days of age, the average testosterone level for nestling owls was 0.83 ± 0.18 ng/ml. Testosterone levels did not differ between males or females. The average testosterone level for male nestlings was 2.23 ± 0.29 ng/ml and 2.39 ± 0.56 ng/ml for female nestlings. The average level of androstenedione for nestling owls was 1.92 ± 0.11 ng/ml and levels remained constant throughout development. Levels were significantly higher in males than females. The average androstenedione level was 1.77 ± 0.16 ng/ml for male nestlings and 1.05 ± 0.24 ng/ml for female nestlings. Hatching order did not affect levels of either androgen. Our results provide a foundation for future studies of androgen production by nestling owls.

Corinne P. Kozlowski and D. Caldwell Hahn "Developmental Changes in Serum Androgen Levels of Eastern Screech-Owls (Megascops asio)," The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122(4), 755-761, (1 December 2010). https://doi.org/10.1676/10-014.1
Received: 19 January 2010; Accepted: 1 June 2010; Published: 1 December 2010
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