Non-genomic action of testosterone mediates avian vocal behavior

The nucleus intercollicularis (ICo) is a critical region for avian vocalization. Implantation of a testosterone pellet into a specific area in the midbrain of Japanese quail chicks rapidly alters their vocal behavior to crowing from distress calling. The speed with which this change occurs cannot be accounted for by the genomic action of testosterone. We found and purified testosterone binding proteins in the membrane of neurons within the ICo. We suggest that this protein mediates the action of testosterone on vocal behavior. This is the direct evidence that neural membrane protein mediates the action of steroid hormones.