Long-lasting and sex-specific consequences of elevated egg yolk testosterone for social behavior in Japanese quail

► Yolk testosterone (T) had long-lasting and sex-specific effects on quail social behavior. ► Yolk T influenced male's affiliative preference, without affecting sexual interest and copulatory behavior. ► Yolk T caused acoustic changes in crowing. ► In females, yolk T boosted growth. ► Maternal yolk T effects and copulation-type organization could result from separate processes.