Influence of light and darkness on the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of Rana temporaria L.

Summary The influence of a long daily photoperiod and continuous darkness was studied on the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of Rana temporaria. After six weeks of treatment (December-January 1968/1969) the secretory activity of the hypothalamo-hypophysial system of the light-treated animals was enhanced.The amount of aldehyde-fuchsin positive material in the preoptic nucleus increased as a result of the light treatment, and decreased in the median eminence, whereas in the posterior lobe no difference could be observed between the light- and dark-treated animals.The karyometric results showed an increase of the nuclear volume of the cells of the preoptic nucleus after light treatment; small differences were noticed between distinct areas of the preoptic nucleus.Autoradiographic data especially showed that light influenced the hypothalamo-hypophysial system to a high degree. Half an hour after the injection of ³⁵S-cysteine, the incorporation of the isotope in the preoptic nucleus of the light-treated animals was five times as much as in the dark-treated animals. In the median eminence and in the posterior lobe, the autoradiographic results confirmed the results found with regard to the amount of aldehyde-fuchsin positive material. Labelled material is released only from the median eminence and not from the posterior lobe.The author is indebted to Prof. Dr. J. C. van de Kamer and Dr. F. C. G. van de Veerdonk for their interest and helpful encouragement. Thanks are also due to Ir. J. J. Bezem for his assistance in solving the statistical problems and to Mr. H. van Kooten and his staff for making the illustrations. The co-operation of the student Mr. E. Schenk is gratefully acknowledged. Dr. L. Boomgaart was so kind to check and amend the English writing.