Courtship stimulates aromatase activity in preoptic area of brain in male ring doves

Aromatase activity was quantified in vitro in different regions of the basal forebrain of male ring doves at various times after the initiation of courtship. By 24 h after the introduction of a female dove into the cage of a male, there was a significant, nearly two-fold, increase in aromatase activity which was confined to the ventromedial preoptic area (VM-POA) where enzyme activity was concentrated. This increase in aromatase activity, which was sustained through day 5 of courtship, presumably serves to activate nest-oriented behavior.