This experiment aimed to investigate the suppression of rutting behavior in male sika deer during the rutting season by applying exogenous progesterone to regulate reproductive hormone levels, providing a novel method for rut suppression. 12 healthy adult male sika deer were randomly divided into four groups: a control group receiving no progesterone, and experimental groups I, II, and III receiving a single intramuscular injection of 330, 495, and 660 mg/head of exogenous progesterone, respectively. On days 10, 20, 35, and 60 of the trial, rutting behavior was observed and scored, and serum levels of progesterone (P4), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) were measured. The results showed that rutting behavior scores in all experimental groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01), with 330 mg/head being the optimal progesterone dose. On day 10, P4 levels in all experimental groups were significantly higher (P<0.01), while T, FSH, and PRL levels were significantly lower (P<0.01) than in the control. GnRH and E2 levels in groups I and II were highly significantly lower than in the control (P<0.01), with group III showing a significant decrease in GnRH (P<0.05). LH levels in group II were highly significantly lower (P<0.01), and in group I significantly lower (P<0.05), than in the control. On day 20, P4 levels remained significantly higher (P<0.01), while T, FSH, PRL, and LH levels were significantly lower (P<0.01) in all experimental groups compared to the control. GnRH levels in groups I and II were significantly lower (P<0.01), and E2 levels in group I were significantly lower (P<0.05). On day 35, P4 levels were significantly higher (P<0.01), and T, FSH, and PRL levels were significantly lower (P<0.01) in the experimental groups. E2 levels in group I were significantly lower (P<0.01), while E2 and LH levels in group II were significantly lower (P<0.05) than in the control. On day 60, P4 levels in group II were significantly higher (P<0.05), while T, FSH, PRL, and LH levels in all experimental groups were significantly lower (P<0.01). GnRH and E2 levels in groups I and II were significantly lower (P<0.01). The results indicate that exogenous progesterone applied during the rutting season can effectively suppress rutting behavior in male sika deer, with an optimal dose of 330 mg per head. This suppressive effect is achieved by modulating the levels of reproductive hormones (particularly T), and there is evidence of synergistic interactions among these hormones.