大仓鼠种群繁殖参数的估算

西文根据大仓鼠自然种群雌体怀胎率,各种类型子宫斑率和幼鼠比率的季节变动规律,估算了1986年河北饶阳县大仓鼠种群的繁殖参数,其研究结果如下：在当年的繁殖季节,大仓鼠越冬雌鼠繁殖3胎次;4、5月份的幼鼠繁殖2胎次;6、7月份的幼鼠繁殖1胎次;9月份左右的幼鼠不参加繁殖。越冬雌鼠春季怀胎和产仔近似正态分布,分布标准差约为13天,平均值为4月20日。幼鼠成熟历期（幼雌体自产出至其产仔）为62天。生殖时滞（雌体两次繁殖间隔）为59天。平均胎仔数为9.1260±2.5971。雌雄性比为1∶1.4926。幼鼠上铗历期为24天。繁殖终止平均日期为9月20日。     

环境雌激素硫丹对根田鼠(Microtus oeconomus)生殖毒性效应

为探讨硫丹的生殖毒性,实验选择健康雄性根田鼠20只,随机分成对照组和实验组,分别注射等剂量生理盐水(6mL/kg)和硫丹溶液(7.0mg/kg)。在染毒的第7天和第14天,实验组和对照组各处死5只根田鼠。通过实验,第1阶段实验组与对照组根田鼠的体重变化不大,睾丸系数差异不明显,精子数、精子活动率下降不明显,精子畸形率明显增加(P0.05)。第2阶段实验组与对照组根田鼠的体重变化不大,睾丸系数差异不明显,精子数、精子活动率下降明显,精子畸形率增加,与第1阶段相比,体重没变化,睾丸系数也无明显变化,精子活动率下降明显(P0.05),精子畸形率增加极显著(P0.01)。因此,环境雌激素硫丹可以引起根田鼠睾丸的精子数下降、精子活动率下降、精子畸形率明显增加。     

环境雌激素硫丹对根田鼠(Microtus oeconomous)生殖毒性效应

为探讨硫丹的生殖毒性.实验选择健康雄性根田鼠20只.随机分成对照组和实验组,分别注射等剂量生理盐水(6 mL/kg)和硫丹溶液(7.0 mg/kg).在染毒的第7天和第14天,实验组和对照组各处死5只根田鼠.通过实验,第1阶段实验组与对照组根田鼠的体重变化不大,睾丸系数差异不明显,精子数、精子活动率下降不明显,精子畸形率明显增加(P<0.05).第2阶段实验组与对照组根田鼠的体重变化不大.睾丸系数差异不明显,精子数、精于活动率下降明显,精子畸形率增加,与第1阶段相比,体重没变化,睾丸系数也无明显变化,精子活动率下降明显(P<0.05),精子畸形率增加极显著(P<0.01).因此,环境雌激素硫丹可以引起根田鼠睾丸的精子数下降、精子活动率下降、精子畸形率明显增加.     

复方辣木颗粒剂影响雄性小鼠性功能的实验研究

目的观察复方辣木颗粒剂对雄性小鼠性功能的影响。方法建立醋酸铅致雄性小鼠生精障碍模型。将60只实验小鼠分为正常组、模型组、阳性对照组和复方辣木颗粒剂高、中、低剂量组,每组10只。给药后,观察小鼠体重、脏器指数、附睾精子活力、精子活率及睾丸的病理形态等。结果复方辣木颗粒剂对醋酸铅致少弱精子症小鼠体重无明显影响,各给药组小鼠附睾系数、睾丸系数、精子活力、精子活率均有所上升,生精细胞和间质细胞数量增多、排列更紧密。各剂量间比较,高剂量效果更显著(均P0.05)。结论复方辣木颗粒剂可显著改善小鼠性功能,为临床合理应用提供有利参考。     

光照周期对叙利亚地鼠生长发育和繁殖的影响

对离乳雄性叙利亚地鼠（Ｍｅｓｏｃｒｉｃｅｔｕｓａｕｒａｔｕｓ）和雌性叙利亚地鼠各３０只分别给以长光照（１６Ｌ：８Ｄ）、中光照（１２Ｌ：１２Ｄ）和短光照（８Ｌ：１６Ｄ）三种光周期处理,研究光周期对叙利亚地鼠生长发育和繁殖的影响。１３周龄时,短光照处理组雄性地鼠的体重显著（Ｐ＜０．０５）高于长光照和中光照组的体重;雌性地鼠９周龄时长光照组的体重显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）高于另外两个处理组的体重,较高的日食量可能是长光照组具有较大体重的原因之一,雄性地鼠的睾丸、副睾和肾上腺重量及雌性地鼠的卵巢、子宫和肾上腺重量表现了随着光照时间的延长而递增的趋势。长光照条件有利于雌性地鼠的正常发情和繁殖。每天１６ｈ的光照对繁殖地鼠是比较适宜的。     

EP-1对雄性中华姬鼠和黑线姬鼠繁殖力的影响

为了检测左炔诺孕酮-炔雌醚（EP-1）对雄性中华姬鼠和黑线姬鼠的不育效果, 将32只雄性中华姬鼠和30只雄性黑线姬鼠分为 30mg/kg 单剂量组、30mg/kg多剂量组和对照组, 15d 和 45d 后剖检, 比较睾丸、附睾、储精囊、精子密度、睾酮含量及睾丸组织形态的变化。结果发现：给药后第 15 天,两种试鼠的睾丸、附睾、储精囊的重量较对照组明显降低; 精子密度、睾酮含量显著下降; 曲细精管结构破坏明显。给药后第45天,处理组各生理指标继续下降,但与第15天相比差别不显著;单剂量组和多剂量组在两个时间点的差别并不显著。结果表明,EP-1对雄性中华姬鼠和黑线姬鼠的繁殖器官有显著抑制效果,单次给药与多次给药的不育效果差别不大。     

氯化镧对雄性小鼠精子质量及睾丸酶活力的影响

探讨氯化镧对小鼠精子质量及睾丸细胞酶的影响。40只成年昆明种雄性小鼠随机分成对照组、低(25mg·kg-1)、中(50mg·kg-1)、高(100mg·kg-1)剂量组,腹腔注射1次/4d,饲养35d。测定睾丸和附睾脏器指数,检测并计算精子数量、活精率、活动率和畸形率以及睾丸碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活力。结果显示,高剂量氯化镧降低了小鼠睾丸AKP活力,抑制了精子数量和质量;中剂量氯化镧能促进NOS活力,使精子数量减少,对精子质量造成损伤。     

北京地区大仓鼠种群繁殖生态研究

1983-1985年,作者在北京农田区研究了大仓鼠的种群生态。获得标本1101号(♀497,♂604),解剖、观察、测量、记录雌雄生殖系统的变化及繁殖特征。对大仓鼠的雌雄性比、平均胎仔数、怀孕率等作了分析。结果:春季出生的雌鼠,两个月左右即达性成熟,并参加繁殖,在7月以后出生的雌鼠当年不参加繁殖。越冬鼠一年可繁殖2-3次。在数量较高的1983年,性比(♂/♀)为1.33,平均胎仔数为9.24;数量次高的1984年,性比为1.20,平均胎仔数为9.29;数量较低的1985年,性比为0.95,平均胎仔数为9.94。在数量较低的年份,大仓鼠种群的各项繁殖指标均优于数量较高的年份。     

粪便激素水平反映不同出生时期雄性布氏田鼠的繁殖策略

布氏田鼠是我国内蒙古草原的主要害鼠之一,具有明显的季节繁殖特征,不同季节出生个体可能具有不同的繁殖策略,但尚缺乏内分泌证据支持。本研究采用标志重捕法,连续监测大型自然围栏中不同年龄雄性布氏田鼠的繁殖状态和应激水平的季节变化,分析各年龄组雄鼠的繁殖发育策略。结果表明,越冬雄鼠可保持较高的睾丸下降率和睾酮水平至8月初;而部分5月生雄鼠的繁殖期睾酮水平较接近越冬鼠,但8月初已降至年内最低水平,而6月及以后出生雄鼠睾酮始终处于较低水平;这说明越冬鼠的繁殖状态可贯穿繁殖期始终,只有部分5月生雄鼠可能参与当年繁殖,而6月及以后出生雄鼠则不能在当年繁殖。越冬鼠皮质醇水平高于当年鼠,繁殖期高于非繁殖期,这可能是越冬鼠由于繁殖需要而保持较高应激状态,从而造成繁殖盛期后死亡率升高。这些结果说明,不同时期出生的雄性布氏田鼠具有不同的出生后性腺发育模式和繁殖策略,反映出生存与繁殖之间的权衡。     

SD雌性大鼠性发育早期性器官等脏器和性激素的动态变化

目的探讨正常SD雌性大鼠性成熟前不同日龄段的脏器与促黄体生成素（LH）、促卵泡素（FSH）、雌二醇（E2）等性激素的变化及其关系。方法从生产群中取出60窝密度状态一致的SD大鼠,在不同日龄随机选取雌性大鼠,检测15、25、32、40日龄时大鼠体重、主要脏器指数,子宫、卵巢组织变化和15、25、32、40、60日龄大鼠血清LH、FSH、E2水平。结果记录了SD雌性大鼠性成熟前各脏器指数和卵巢、子宫组织变化,结果显示大鼠卵巢、子宫的增长速度大于体重的增长,而其他脏器增速大都小于体重的增长。本研究还记录了血清LH、FSH、E2水平在不同日龄段的变化规律,表明血清LH、E2浓度在32日龄时出现较为明显升高。结论不同日龄大鼠脏器指数的动态变化提示大鼠性器官在性发育早期得到机体的优先发育。血清LH、E2水平在32日龄时有了明显升高,提示性腺轴功能已经激活。60日龄大鼠血清性激素水平的波动类似于动情周期的规律性变化,推测大鼠在60日龄前即已进入性成熟,这些结果将为大鼠性发育的相关研究提供重要的参考数据。     

基于计算机视觉技术评价光照度对斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色的影响

【目的】为揭示光照度对斜纹夜蛾Prodenia litura(Fabricius)幼虫体色变化的影响,建立一套新的昆虫体色评价体系。【方法】采用计算机视觉检测技术,将斜纹夜蛾幼虫的颜色数值化,评价了斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色随日龄的变化规律及光照度对斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色变化的影响。【结果】随着日龄的增加,斜纹夜蛾幼虫的明度(B)和彩色指数(CI)逐渐减少,体色偏差系数(BDV)逐渐增加,色泽从开始的绿色占主导逐渐转变为红色占主导,不同日龄间主观色各颜色指标都差异显著(P<0.01);在低光照度(0~1 000 lx)下,明度(B)和体色偏差系数(BDV)主要受光照影响,而彩色指数(CI)和归一化RGB值主要受发育日龄的影响,在高光照度下(1 000 lx以上),所有颜色指标均受发育日龄影响较大,受光照处理相对较小,光照度对斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色影响的阈值为1 000 lx,在阈值下,明度(B)、彩色指数(CI)及体色分化系数(BDC)都随光照度的增加显著增加,体色偏差系数(BDV)、RGB色差则随光照度的增加而减少。【结论】光照度主要影响斜纹夜蛾幼虫体色的明暗程度,对色彩程度影响不大,且光照度的影响阈值大约为1 000 lx。     

绞股蓝对高脂血症致成年雄性兔睾丸显微结构损害的干预作用

目的观察绞股篮和高脂血症对成年雄性兔睾丸显微结构的影响。方法40只日本雄性大耳白兔随机分为A组、C组、D组、E组,分别喂饲高脂饲料＋绞股蓝5g,kg、高脂饲料、标准饲料＋绞股篮5g／kg、标准饲料。饲养前和饲养后3周、6周、9周末检测三酰甘油（TG）、胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）。实验结束观察睾丸显微结构。结果①TG、TC、LDL-C、HDL-C：A组、C组随饲养时间延长,TG、TC、LDL-C渐升,与饲养前比较有显著差异（P〈0．05）,A组HDL-C渐升,与饲养前比较有显著性差异（P〈0．01）;饲养后A组TG、TC、LDL-C低于c组,A组HDL-C高于C组,饲养后组间比较有显著差异（P〈0．05）。②光镜检查：A组、D组、E组生精细胞正常;C组睾丸生精细胞脂肪变性,间质纤维化,基底膜增厚,精子细胞数量下降。结论高脂血症导致睾丸生精细胞脂肪样变,精子细胞数量下降。绞股蓝通过降低血脂、改善血脂代谢,对高脂血症导致的睾丸生精细胞脂肪样变具有抑制作用。绞股篮对标准饲料饲养兔睾丸显微结构无影响。     

基于叶绿素荧光成像及荧光参数分布特征的叶片光合异质性定量分析

植物叶片光合作用具有高度的空间异质性,叶绿素荧光成像技术为叶片光合异质性的研究提供了便利,但叶片光合异质性的定量分析并没有得到广泛应用。本文利用ImagingPAM叶绿素荧光成像系统,获得 中亚热带地区越冬期小叶榕（Ficus microcarpa）阳生叶和阴生叶的叶绿素荧光参数图像,并利用仪器的分析软件对其进行分析,定量比较了阳生叶和阴生叶的光合异质性特征。研究发现：越冬期小叶榕阳生叶的光合异质性和光抑制程度明显高于阴生叶,变异系数可作为光合异质性的定量指标。低温强光导致阳生叶坏死率（P_LN）达4.30%,并有53.30%的区域处于严重光抑制（0<F_v/F_m<0.627）,但仍有42.27%的区域仅为轻度光抑制（0.627≤ F_v/F_m<0.800）。而低温弱光并未造成阴生叶坏死和严重光抑制。通过对光系统Ⅱ（PSⅡ）的实际光合效率 （Y（Ⅱ））、调节性能量耗散的量子产额（Y（NPQ））和非调节性能量耗散的量子产额（Y（NO））荧光参数异质性的定量分析表明,阳生叶具有相对较高的光化学能力,阴生叶则具有相对较高的热耗散能力;冬季强光虽然会导致小叶榕阳生叶PSⅡ严重激发压积累,存在严重光抑制的潜在风险,但其致死面积并不大,叶片中仍存在一定面积低激发压的低风险区,而低温弱光下的阴生叶则主要以低风险区域为主。     

自然越冬过程中3个茶树品种的生理特性变化及抗寒性评价

以茶树也Camelliasinensis（Linn.）Kuntze页品种‘舒茶早’（‘Shuchazao’）、‘乌牛早’（‘Wuniuzao’）和‘平阳特早’（‘Pingyangtezao’）为实验材料,分析了自然越冬过程中（2011年10月至2012年3月）茶树叶片主要渗透调节物质（可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质、热稳定蛋白质和脯氨酸）含量、抗氧化酶（SOD、CAT和POD）活性、PSⅡ原初光能转化效率（Fv/Fm）和总叶绿素含量的变化,并应用主成分分析结合隶属函数法对3个茶树品种抗寒性进行综合评价。结果表明：自然越冬期3个茶树品种叶片生理指标随时间推移呈规律性变化,越冬期（12月和1月）与越冬前期（10月）、越冬后期（2月和3月）各指标总体上差异显著,且品种间各指标也有一定差异。可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质、热稳定蛋白质和脯氨酸含量以及SOD活性均呈先升后降的变化趋势,且峰值多出现在12月或2月;CAT和POD活性、Fv/Fm值和总叶绿素含量则呈先降后升的变化趋势,且均在1月降至最低。主成分分析结果显示：第1主成分（X1）包括可溶性糖含量、SOD活性、CAT活性、POD活性、Fv/Fm和总叶绿素含量,贡献率达到57.97%;第2主成分（X2）包括可溶性蛋白质含量、热稳定蛋白质含量和脯氨酸含量,贡献率达到26.89%。综合评价结果显示：自然越冬期3个茶树品种抗寒性的综合评价值均随时间推移呈先升后降的变化趋势,且均在12月达到最高,据此判断3个茶树品种中‘舒茶早’的抗寒性最强、‘乌牛早’的抗寒性最弱,‘平阳特早’的抗寒性介于二者之间。研究结果显示：在自然越冬过程中供试3个茶树品种的抗寒性与其生理指标变化及生长表现一致,表明综合评价法可用于茶树抗寒性评价。     

Refractoriness to short and long days determines the end and onset of the breeding season in subtropical goats

The objective was to determine whether refractoriness to short and long days were involved in the end and onset of the breeding season, respectively, in goats adapted to subtropical latitudes. Ovariectomized does given a subcutaneous implant constantly releasing estradiol-l7 β (OVX+E) were used in two experiments. Plasma LH concentrations were determined twice weekly. In Experiment 1, the control group remained in an open-shed pen (natural day length and ambient temperature). Two experimental groups were placed in light-proof buildings (with natural temperature variations). One group was exposed to natural simulated increasing days (winter to spring), whereas the other was exposed to a winter solstice photoperiod (10 h of light) from December 21 to April 28. In Experiment 2, the control group remained under natural day length and ambient temperature. One experimental group was exposed to natural simulated decreasing days (summer to autumn), whereas the other group was exposed to a summer solstice photoperiod (14 h of light) from June 21 to October 20. In Experiment 1, the breeding season was not prolonged in does maintained in the winter solstice day length. Mean dates of decrease in LH secretion (end of the breeding season) did not differ significantly between does exposed to natural (February 3 ± 5 d) or natural simulated photoperiod (January 26 ± 14 d) and those exposed to constant short days of winter solstice (February 4 ± 10 d). In Experiment 2, the onset of the breeding season was not delayed in does maintained in the summer solstice day length. Mean dates of increase in LH secretion (onset of the breeding season) did not differ significantly between does exposed to natural (September 7 ± 8 d) or natural simulated photoperiod (September 18 ± 10 d) and those exposed to constant long days photoperiod of summer solstice (September 24 ± 4 d). In goats adapted to a subtropical environment, we concluded that: 1) the end of breeding season was due to refractoriness to short days, and not the inhibitory effect of increasing day length; and 2) the onset of the breeding season was due to refractoriness to long days, and not a stimulatory effect of decreasing day length.     

Influence of light intensities on dressing behavior in elderly people

With civilized environments in modern society, since the people tend to depend more on artificial illumination than on natural illumination which makes less discrepancy between day and night life, clarifying the relationship between human life and illumination is necessary. In our previous studies, we found that the subjects dressed faster with thicker clothing in the morning than in the evening when the room temperature decreased from 30 degrees C to 15 degrees C over 1 hour. We considered these results in terms of load error between the actual and set-point values in the core temperature. The present study was designed to examine the effect of bright light (3,000 lx)/dim light (50 lx) exposure (09:30 h-14:30 h) on dressing behavior and thermoregulatory responses in the elderly people during the afternoon cold exposure. Five female subjects were instructed to dress to feel comfortable when the room temperature was decreased from 30 degrees C to 15 degrees C (15:00 h-17:00 h). The subjects felt cooler and dressed more quickly with thicker clothing after dim light exposure, it is conceivable that the set-point value of core temperature is reduced under the bright light condition. We discussed these results in terms of the establishment of set-point values in the core temperature at bright light condition. If the set-point of the core temperature is lower in the bright than in the dim light condition in present experiment, the dressing behavior with thinner clothing in the bright light condition is advantageous, since it enables the core temperature to reach its set-point value more easily.     

温度、光照和盐度对2株曼氏骨条藻生长及脂肪酸组成的影响

研究温度、光照、盐度对2株曼氏骨条藻（Skeletonema munzelii）SM-1、SM-2生长、总脂含量及脂肪酸组成的影响,以确定其生长及油脂、多不饱和脂肪酸积累的最适生态条件。在实验室智能光照培养箱内不充气培养控制条件下,采用单因子试验分别研究了不同温度（10、15、20、25和30℃）、光照强度（20、40、60、80、100和120μmol/m2·s）、盐度（10、15、20、25、30、35和40）对2株藻的生长、总脂含量及脂肪酸组成的影响。结果表明：不同温度、光照强度及盐度对2株藻的生长、总脂及脂肪酸含量影响均有显著影响（P〈0.05）。藻株SM-1生长的最适温度为25℃,最适光强60μmol/m2·s,最适盐度30,而低温（10~15℃）,低光照（20μmol/m2·s）,低盐度（盐度15）更有利于总脂及PUFA的积累。SM-2生长的最适温度为20℃,最适光强60μmol/m2·s,最适盐度30,而低温（10~15℃）,低光照（20μmol/m2·s）更有利于其总脂及PUFA的积累,低盐（盐度15）则更有利于PUFA的积累。因此在实际生产中,2株藻可先在最适条件下培养以增加生物量,后转至利于PUFA积累的条件下提高PUFA产量。     

几内亚格木和降香黄檀对热带北缘地区冬季低温的光合适应

在热带北缘地区,冬季气温较夏季下降10℃左右,虽然热带植物对零上低温敏感,但是大部分热带树木能够适应热带北缘地区的冬季气温,其光合生理机制并不清楚。我们通过测定种植在热带北缘地区（21°54′N,101°46′E）的两种热带树木（几内亚格木和降香黄檀）的光系统Ⅰ和Ⅱ活性以及光系统Ⅰ和Ⅱ的能量分配的季节变化,发现这两个树种的光系统Ⅰ和Ⅱ活性在冬季并没有下降。两个树种的光系统Ⅱ的有效量子产额在冬季明显下降,同时伴随着热耗散激发。在冬季,环式电子传递的激发与热耗散的激发呈现显著的正相关。环式电子传递的激发使得氧化态P700比例的上升,从而避免了光系统Ⅰ受体端的过度还原。化学试剂抗霉素A（PGR5途径环式电子传递的一种特异性抑制剂）处理过的叶片较对照组表现出更强光损伤程度。这些结果表明环式电子传递的激发是热带树木适应热带北缘地区冬季低温的一个重要的光合生理机制。     

The Circadian Rhythm of Body Temperature of the Horse

Rectal temperature of 10 female adult horses was recorded every 2 h for 10 consecutive days under a natural winter photoperiod (9 h of light and 15 h of darkness per day). A robust daily rhythm of body temperature was observed in all animals. The rhythm had a mean level of 38.3°C and a range of excursion of 1.0°C. Temperature started its daily ascent at dawn each day and reached a maximum 14 hours later. Body temperature of 5 of the horses was studied for 10 more days under constant illumination. The rhythm persisted under this condition, although with a slightly longer period of 24.2 h, which confirms the endogenous nature of the rhythm. Despite the fact that the body size of the horse is several orders of magnitude greater than that of rodents, the various parameters of the body temperature rhythm of the horse are similar to those of several species of rodents previously studied.     

Seasonal changes in the in-vivo activity of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neural apparatus of male rabbits monitored with push-pull cannulae

Intact sexually mature New Zealand White male rabbits, raised under natural lighting and temperature conditions, were isolated and housed in air-conditioned quarters, in a 12-h light:12-h dark cycle. Push-pull cannulae were implanted towards the tuberal region of the hypothalamus, and animals were perfused with modified Krebs'-Ringer phosphate medium for an average period of 4 h. Most rabbits were repetitively perfused over an average period of 3.7 months. Perfusions were grouped into seasonal periods of about 40 or 80 days through the entire 1-year cycle: (A) 23 November to 31 December (winter solstice period: N = 6), (B) 1 January to 23 March (winter: N = 10), (C) 24 March to 13 June (spring: N = 9), (D) 14 June to 23 July (summer solstice period: N = 23), (E) 24 July to 13 October (late summer-early fall: N = 7) and (F) 14 October to 22 November (fall: N = 4). Maximal and minimal values of mean release, mean amplitude and mean frequency from every animal in each block were obtained. In the summer solstice group (D), maximal mean (+/- s.e.) LHRH release levels were significantly greater (14.42 +/- 6.62 pg/10 min) than for all groups (A, 0.76 +/- 0.27; B, 1.59 +/- 0.39; C, 1.34 +/- 0.22; E, 1.33 +/- 0.33; and F, 1.18 +/- 0.11) while during the winter solstice period (A), minimal mean LHRH release levels (0.48 +/- 0.04 pg/10 min) were significantly lower than in all other groups (B, 1.43 +/- 0.41; C, 0.96 +/- 0.11; D, 7.25 +/- 4.12; E, 1.18 +/- 0.37; and F, 1.18 +/- 0.11). Maximal values were highest during the summer solstice period while the minimal values were lowest during the winter solstice period. The amplitude and frequency of the LHRH pulses showed changes similar to those observed with the mean LHRH release. For 1 year, an estimated left testis weight was measured in 4-7 rabbits every 2-5 weeks. The percentage estimated testis weight peaked in early August and reached minimal levels during the winter months. These data demonstrate that the rabbit LHRH neural apparatus is very sensitive to seasonal influences although animals remained in a fixed photoperiod during the entire duration of the experiment.