Glucocorticoids (GCs) are thought to impact reproductive success, and ultimately fitness. In this study we focus specifically on the relationship between GCs and parental care. Captive bred Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) do not show spontaneous parental care behavior, however this behavior can be induced through a sensitization procedure. We investigated how the GC status of Japanese quail relates to parental care in animals of both sexes exposed or not to a chick sensitization treatment. To assess GC status, we obtained baseline plasma and feather cort samples, and used the HPA-axis function test to assess stress responsiveness by examining the response to a standardized stressor as well as negative feedback efficacy through dexamethasone injection. Next, birds were either exposed to chicks overnight in a small enclosure (sensitization treatment) or were enclosed but not exposed to chicks (control). The following morning, adult behaviors were filmed in the presence of a fresh set of chicks for 20 min. A final serum GC sample was obtained to assess if exposure to novel chicks was perceived as stressful. In control animals, baseline GCs were associated with increased total parental care duration and decreased latency to first parental care event. Interestingly, the opposite relationship was found in the sensitization group. Finally, exposure to novel chicks was not associated with an increase in corticosterone in either group. Overall it appears that baseline GCs are correlated with parental care in captive bred Japanese quail, and that the relationship changes direction depending on whether or not sensitization has occurred.

糖皮质激素（GCs）被认为会影响生殖成功，并最终影响身体健康。在这项研究中，我们特别关注GC与父母照顾之间的关系。圈养日本鹌鹑（Coturnix japonica）没有表现出自发的父母照管行为，但是可以通过敏化程序来诱发这种行为。我们调查了日本鹌鹑的GC状况如何与暴露于或未经过小鸡致敏治疗的两性动物的父母关怀有关。为了评估GC状态，我们获得了基线血浆和羽毛cort样本，并使用HPA轴功能测试通过检查对标准化应激源的反应以及地塞米松注射液的负反馈功效来评估应激反应。接下来，将鸟类在小围栏中暴露于雏鸡过夜（敏化处理），或者将其封闭但不暴露在雏鸡中（对照）。第二天早上，在有一组新鲜小鸡的情况下，将成年行为拍摄了20分钟。获得了最终的血清GC样品，以评估接触新雏鸡是否被认为具有压力。在对照动物中，基线GC与总的父母照护时间延长和首次父母照护事件的潜伏期缩短相关。有趣的是，在敏化组中发现了相反的关系。最后，在任何一组中，接触新雏鸡都与皮质酮的增加无关。总体看来，圈养的日本鹌鹑的基线GC似乎与父母的照护相关，并且这种关系的方向会根据是否发生敏化而改变。在敏化组中发现相反的关系。最后，在任何一组中，暴露于新雏鸡都与皮质酮的增加无关。总体看来，圈养的日本鹌鹑的基线GC似乎与父母的照护相关，并且这种关系的方向会根据是否发生敏化而改变。在敏化组中发现相反的关系。最后，在任何一组中，暴露于新雏鸡均与皮质酮水平升高无关。总体看来，圈养的日本鹌鹑的基线GC似乎与父母的照护相关，并且这种关系的方向会根据是否发生敏化而改变。