The role of photoperiod on the initiation of the breeding season of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

The role of photoperiod on the initiation of the breeding season of brushtail possums was investigated in possums housed in three light regimens: a short-day, a natural and a long-day photoperiod. Seven possums were housed in a natural photoperiod. Four possums were transferred to a short-day photoperiod (10 h light, 14 h dark) and eight possums to a long-day photoperiod (14 h light, 10 h dark) on 22 November, when the daylength was 13.34 h. The first rises in plasma progesterone concentrations were observed on 9 January +/- 9 days (n = 4), 11 March +/- 6 days (n = 7) and 6 May +/- 6 days (n = 8), for possums held in short-day, natural or long-day photoperiods respectively. Similarly, births were observed on 12 January and 14 February in the short-day group, from 3 March to 8 May for the natural photoperiod group, and from 5 May to 8 August for the long-day group. These results suggest that photoperiod is important in the timing of the breeding season. However, annual breeding will commence in a nonstimulatory long-day photoperiod. Thus a long-day photoperiod does not prevent breeding activity.     

Photomanipulation of sexual maturation and breeding cycle of the steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni) and other techniques for more rapid propagation of the species

Twenty steppe polecats were divided into 2 groups, each consisting of 4 males and 6 females, and subjected to either a natural photoperiod (controls) or alternating periods of short (8 h light/16 hr dark for 8-9 weeks) and long days (16 h light/8 h dark for 16-20 weeks). The experimental photoperiod significantly accelerated sexual maturation in both sexes, with males developing maximal testis size within 57 days and females breeding after an average of 52 days exposure to 16L/8D. Males in the experimental group completed 2 1/2 testicular cycles and participated in mating during 3 successive breeding seasons during the 18 month period whereas males in the control group completed a single testicular cycle and only had an opportunity to mate during a single breeding season. Females in the experimental group produced 3 litters whereas females in the control group only gave birth to a single litter. Litter size averaged 6.9 +/- 2.0 (n = 23) and did not significantly differ with age, parity, or treatment. Pseudopregnant females returned to estrus within 12 days after the expected date of parturition, were bred, and gave birth to kits. Polecats which were subjected to the experimental photoperiods completed more molting cycles and underwent more photoperiod-induced changes in body weight than those in the control group. Death or removal of kits within 8 days after birth resulted in 12/12 females returning to estrus within 6-26 days. Eleven of these females were remated and gave birth to kits. Eight domestic ferrets readily accepted neonatal polecat kits and 5 successfully reared kits, although kit survival was quite poor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Response in peripheral plasma melatonin to photoperiod change and the effects of exogenous melatonin on seasonal quiescence in the tammar, Macropus eugenii

During the light phase of each of 3 photoperiods tested, plasma melatonin concentrations were less than 16 to 62 pg/ml and during the dark phase they were 31 to 169 pg/ml. When the photoperiod to which the tammars were exposed was altered from 15 h light:9 h dark to 12L:12D the onset of the nocturnal rise in melatonin was advanced from the first day, thereby extending its duration, and the females gave birth 32 +/- 0.4 (mean +/- s.e.m.) days later. To test whether melatonin mediated this effect of photo-period change, tammars in a second group were injected s.c. with melatonin (400 ng/kg, N = 6) or the arachis oil vehicle (N = 6), 2.5 to 2.25 h before dark during 15L:9D for 15 days before exposure to 12.5L:11.5D. The melatonin injections mimicked the endogenous melatonin profile of 12L:12D and the melatonin-injected tammars gave birth 32 +/- 0.8 days after the start of injections, which was the same as the interval from photoperiod change in Exp. 1 but was significantly different (P less than 0.005) from the interval in the control group (46.0 +/- 1.1 days). These results show that exogenous melatonin given 2.5 to 2.25 h in advance of the endogenous rise fully mimics the response of the tammar to photoperiod change.     

Reproductive capability of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) transferred from the wilds of Brisbane, Adelaide, and Armidale into captivity in Brisbane

The transfer of animals from the wild into captivity is an important strategy for the conservation of species that are under threat of extinction. To determine the reproductive capability of animals following transfer from the wild, brushtail possums relocated from Brisbane, Adelaide, and Armidale into captivity in Brisbane were monitored. Seventy five percent of the Brisbane possums (N = 80) gave birth during the months from March to May following transfer from the suburbs of Brisbane and 75% of the young born reached weaning. Thirteen adult females and four adult male brushtail possums were relocated from Adelaide into captivity in Brisbane in June 1994. Four young were born in Brisbane, however none survived to weaning and all the relocated possums had died 2 years after their transfer from Adelaide. Seventeen adult females and seven adult male possums were transferred from Armidale to Brisbane in July 1996. In the first year, 1997, four young were born in Brisbane and none survived to weaning. In the second year, three young were born and survived to weaning. Two years after their transfer, one adult male and three adult females from Armidale and three juvenile possums were housed in the Brisbane enclosures. As the Brisbane, Adelaide, and Armidale possums received the same photoperiod and environmental conditions, some factor must have inhibited breeding activity in the Adelaide possums and to a lesser extent in the Armidale possums. The ability of the Armidale possums to give birth and wean their young after 2 years in Brisbane would suggest that relocated possums require up to 2 years in order to adjust sufficiently to their new environment to reproduce. However, the failure of the Adelaide possums to reproduce successfully after a similar period of time in Brisbane suggests that certain environmental differences inhibit the ability of different populations of possums to adjust to a new environment. J. Exp. Zool. 284:783-788, 1999. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Advancement of reproductive activity, seasonal reduction in prolactin secretion and seasonal pelage changes in pubertal red deer hinds (Cervus elaphus) subjected to artificially shortened daily photoperiod or daily melatonin treatments

Prepubertal red deer hinds were subjected to shortened daily photoperiod (8 h light per day, N = 3) or a daily (afternoon) melatonin injection (N = 4) for 83 days starting on 8 January, 2 weeks after the summer solstice. Compared with control hinds (N = 3) these treatments caused premature moulting of summer pelage, reduced serum prolactin concentrations to barely detectable levels about 34 days earlier than usual and advanced the date of mating. Calves were born earlier (P less than 0.005) in the hinds exposed to a shortened photoperiod (12 November +/- 1.7 days) and melatonin treatment (11 November +/- 3.2 days) than in control hinds (13 December +/- 7.9 days). Serum progesterone levels recorded before the first detected oestrus indicated that silent ovulations had occurred in many of the hinds (6 of 10) in this experiment. This study demonstrated the role of shortened daily photoperiod in red deer and indicated that the effects of reduced photoperiod observed were mediated by melatonin.     

Influence of photoperiod on the seasonal pattern of secretion of luteinizing hormone and testosterone and on the antler cycle in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

Annual variations in concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone in plasma were analysed in relation to the antler cycle in six adult male roe deer exposed to a natural photoperiod (latitude 46 degrees 10'N) and in four adult males maintained in a constant short-day photoperiod (8 h light: 16 h dark) for a year, from the winter solstice at which time both groups of animals had antlers in velvet. The animals were sampled, every 15 min for 2 or 4 h at intervals of one month for a year. Under both natural and experimental conditions, LH concentrations were high from January to March, but in the experimental conditions they decreased between April and May-June, whereas in the natural conditions they increased. Plasma LH concentration was lowest between July and November in animals under natural photoperiod, whereas under 8 h light:16 h dark photoperiod a second increase in plasma LH occurred between August and September. Between March and August, concentrations of plasma testosterone increased under natural photoperiod, whereas under experimental photoperiod there was a biphasic pattern of plasma testosterone with peaks between February and May and between September and November. Under natural photoperiod, antlers were cast in November, 369 +/- 6 days after the previous antlers were cast. Under experimental photoperiod, antlers were cast after 193 +/- 10 days, and a new set developed. The sexual cycle of the male appears to be initiated by an endogenous rhythm in winter and is then maintained by hormonal changes resulting from increasing photoperiod in spring.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Retardation of pubertal development by prenatal long days in goat kids born in autumn.

Goat kids born in spring attain sexual maturity during the first autumn after birth in temperate regions, at about 30 weeks of age. This study observed sexual development in autumn-born kids and the influence of late-summer, prenatal light treatment on onset of puberty. The breeding season of 14 female British Saanen dairy goats was artificially advanced by 4 months, using a treatment of long days during the winter followed by melatonin treatment in spring. Five goats were treated with a photoperiod of 20 h light:4 h dark (lights on 04.00 h) for 62.1 +/- 1.4 days (mean +/- SEM, n = 5) prepartum (14 August to 15 October). The remaining nine goats were kept under a natural photoperiod: 20 kids from these mothers were followed, five males and five females from each group. Testicular development was assessed by means of weekly measurement of scrotal circumference. Blood samples were taken once a week from all kids from 4 weeks of age for 5 months. Plasma was assayed for progesterone in females and testosterone in males. Autumn-born female kids initiated oestrous cyclicity in January, at a mean age of 12.8 +/- 0.8 weeks. Puberty onset was significantly delayed (P less than 0.03, unpaired Student's t test) in females exposed to 20 h light:4 h dark in utero and occurred at a mean age of 16.5 +/- 1.4 weeks. Testicular development was significantly delayed and plasma testosterone concentrations were lower in autumn-born male kids that experienced 20 h light:4 h dark in utero than in kids from mothers in a natural photoperiod.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of maternal pinealectomy and reverse photoperiod on the circadian melatonin rhythm in the sheep and fetus during the last trimester of pregnancy

The present study tested the hypothesis that the nocturnal melatonin rhythm in the fetal sheep results from transfer across the placenta of melatonin from maternal circulation. Pregnant ewes were exposed to an artificial reverse photoperiod at about 100 days gestation (n = 6; lights on 10 h, 2200-0800 h PST). This treatment tested for entrainment in the ewe and its fetus of the 24-h pattern of melatonin production from the pineal gland. Other ewes were pinealectomized at 55 days post-breeding (n = 6), and similarly treated. Catheters were implanted and blood samples were collected between 117 and 142 days gestation at two 48-h periods, about every 0.5-4 h, to assess the pattern of melatonin in maternal and fetal circulations. In pineal-intact ewes and their fetuses, melatonin rhythms conformed to the reverse photoperiod, i.e. plasma melatonin concentrations were relatively low during the light period and significantly increased for the duration of darkness. In contrast, maternal pinealectomy abolished the melatonin rhythms in both the ewe and fetus; melatonin concentrations remained at or below the limits of detection. Pineal-intact sheep gave birth about 139 +/- 2 days (mean +/- SE, n = 4) at 1915 +/- 0.7 h and pinealectomized ewes (n = 5 of 6) lambed at 149 +/- 2 days at 0424 +/- 0.5 h. Finally, in lambs (n = 3) born to pinealectomized ewes, typical melatonin rhythms were present within the first week of life. The findings indicate that the maternal pineal gland is responsible for the 24-h pattern of melatonin in the ewe and its fetus during the last trimester of pregnancy.     

Variation in the timing of the reproductive season among breeds of sheep in relation to differences in photoperiodic synchronization of an endogenous rhythm.

Photoperiod may regulate seasonal reproduction either by providing the primary driving force for the reproductive transitions or by synchronizing an endogenous reproductive rhythm. This study evaluated whether breed differences in timing of the reproductive seasons of Finnish Landrace (Finn) and Galway ewes are due to differences in photoperiodic drive of the reproductive transitions or to differences in photoperiodic synchronization of the endogenous rhythm of reproductive activity. The importance of decreasing photoperiod after the summer solstice in determining the onset and duration of the breeding season was tested by housing ewes from the summer solstice in either a simulated natural photoperiod or a fixed summer-solstice photoperiod (18 h light:6 h dark; summer-solstice hold). Onset of the breeding season within each breed did not differ between these photoperiodic treatments, but Galway ewes began and ended their breeding season earlier than Finn ewes. The duration of the breeding season was shorter in Galway ewes on summer-solstice hold than on simulated natural photoperiod; duration did not differ between photoperiodic treatments in Finn ewes. The requirement for increasing photoperiod after the winter solstice for initiation of anoestrus was tested by exposing ewes from the winter solstice to either a simulated natural photoperiod or a winter-solstice hold photoperiod (8.5 h light:15.5 h dark). Onset of anoestrus within each breed did not differ between these photoperiodic treatments, but the time of this transition differed between breeds. These observations suggest that genetic differences in timing of the breeding season in Galway and Finn ewes do not reflect differences in the extent to which photoperiod drives the reproductive transitions, because neither breed requires shortening days to enter the breeding season or lengthening days to end it at appropriate times. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that photoperiod synchronizes an endogenous rhythm of reproductive activity in both breeds and that genetic differences in timing of the breeding season reflect differences in photoperiodic synchronization of this rhythm.     

Photoperiod requirements for puberty differ from those for the onset of the adult breeding season in female sheep

Reproductive responses to photoperiod were directly compared in mature ewes and in their spring-born twin female lambs. All females were ovariectomized and treated with oestradiol implants before transfer into artificial photoperiod; serum LH concentrations and pulsatile LH patterns provided an index of neuroendocrine reproductive activity. Mothers were transferred from natural photoperiod to artificial long days (16 h light:8 h dark) at the summer solstice so that no decrease in photoperiod would be experienced. These ewes began reproductive activity synchronously at the expected time in the autumn. One of each pair of twin lambs was treated exactly as the mothers; to determine the normal timing of puberty the remaining twin was maintained in a photoperiod simulating the natural decrease in daylength. In all 6 control lambs experiencing the simulated natural photoperiod, reproductive activity occurred synchronously at 28 +/- 1 weeks of age (2 October +/- 7 days). However, in their twin sisters which did not experience a decrease in photoperiod, only 2 of 6 lambs had begun reproductive activity by the end of the experiment at 52 weeks of age (March), and these were both delayed relative to their twin control lambs exposed to decreasing daylength. Therefore, a decrease in photoperiod is necessary for the normal timing of puberty in the spring-born, female sheep, whereas seasonally anoestrous, mature sheep can enter the breeding season at a normal time in the absence of decreasing photoperiod. We suggest that the requirement for a decreasing photoperiod by the spring-born lamb reflects its limited photoperiodic history as compared to the adult.     

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.     

Reproductive refractoriness in the Welsh Mountain ewe induced by a short photoperiod can be overridden by exposure to a shorter photoperiod

The objectives were to determine if relative lengths of photoperiods that induce reproductive cycles in ewes affect the length of the subsequent breeding season, if duration of the refractoriness that terminates breeding is affected by photoperiod length, and if the resulting refractoriness to an inductive photoperiod is absolute. Groups of Welsh Mountain ewes were exposed to either 12L:12D (n = 12) or 8L:16D (n = 6) photoperiods beginning at the summer solstice when daylengths reach a maximum of 17.5 h at Bristol, England. A control group (n = 10) was exposed to natural daylengths. Ovarian cycles in the controls, as judged by monitored plasma progesterone levels, commenced in early October, about 1 mo later (p less than 0.001 in both cases) than in sheep exposed to 12L:12D or 8L:16D. The advancement in cycle onset was similar under 12L:12D and 8L:16D (69 +/- 2 and 77 +/- 4 days after the summer solstice compared with 102 +/- 2 days in the controls). Duration of the breeding season (100 +/- 4 days) in ewes exposed to 12L:12D was significantly shorter (p less than 0.001 in both cases) than in ewes exposed to natural daylengths or 8L:16D (153 +/- 3 and 133 +/- 5 days, respectively). Approximately 70 days after the ending of ovulatory cycles in the 12L:12D group, half of the animals (n = 6) were transferred to 8L:16D. This treatment greatly (p less than 0.001) reduced the duration of anestrus and cycles began again 62 +/- 4 days after transfer to 8L:16D, or about 90 days earlier than in ewes (n = 6) remaining in 12L:12D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evidence that the onset of the breeding season in the ewe may be independent of decreasing plasma prolactin concentrations

Ten ewes of each of two breeds, Dorset Horn (long breeding season) and Welsh Mountain (short breeding season), were given subcutaneous oestradiol-17 beta implants and then ovariectomized. Another 10 ewes of each breed were left intact. On 3 May 1982, all the ewes were housed in an artificial photoperiod of 16L:8D. After 4 weeks, half of the ewes of each breed and physiological state were abruptly exposed to a short-day (8L:16D) photoperiod while the others remained in long days (16L:8D). The time of onset of the breeding season was significantly (P less than 0.05) advanced in ewes switched to short days (12 August +/- 10 days) compared to those maintained in long days (4 September +/- 14 days). Dorset Horn ewes began to cycle (20 July +/- 7 days) significantly (P less than 0.001) earlier than Welsh Mountain ewes (19 September +/- 6 days). Disparities in the time of onset of cyclic activity in ewes of different breeds and daylength groups were echoed in disparities in the time at which plasma LH and FSH concentrations rose in oestrogen-implanted, ovariectomized ewes of the same light treatment group. Prolactin concentrations showed an immediate decrease in ewes switched to short days, but remained elevated in long-day ewes. Since the breeding season started in the presence of high prolactin concentrations in long-day ewes, it seems unlikely that prolactin is an important factor determining the timing of the onset of cyclic activity.     

The effects of Eucalyptus terpenes on hepatic cytochrome P450 CYP4A, peroxisomal Acyl CoA oxidase (AOX) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) in the common brush tail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Eucalyptus leaves contain a high proportion of essential oils comprising of a complex mixture of monoterpenes such as 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, d-limonene and p-cymene. In this study, hepatic levels of microsomal lauric acid hydroxylase and peroxisomal cyanide-intensive palmitoyl coenzyme A oxidative activities were examined in livers of possums given an artificial diet consisting of the above monoterpenes for 10 days. These values were compared with those of possums fed a control diet containing only fruits and cereals. Peroxisomal cyanide-intensive palmitoyl coenzyme A oxidative activity was significantly higher in livers of treated possums relative to that of control possums (2.96+/-0.93 vs. 0.98+/-0.88 nmol/mg protein per min, P<0.01) (mean+/-S.D., n=4). A small increase in microsomal lauric acid hydroxylase activity was observed in the treated possum in comparison with the control group (4.40+/-0.85 vs. 3.60+/-0.48 nmol/mg protein per min) (mean+/-S.D., n=4). A higher NAD/ NADP ratio was observed in treated possums as compared with control possums (4.73+/-0.65 vs. 3.51+/-0.64 nmol/mg protein per min, P<0.05) (mean+/-S.D., n=4). No other statistically significant differences in pyridine nucleotide contents were found between control and treated possums. Northern blot analysis of mRNA from rat, human, terpene treated and control possum livers, using the corresponding koala cDNA probes, detected a more intense acyl CoA oxidase (AOX) mRNA band in livers of terpene fed possums. Negligible differences in the intensity of CYP4A and PPARalpha mRNA bands were observed between the two groups. These data suggest that Eucalyptus terpenes elevate hepatic AOX expression in possums.     

Effect of melatonin and removal of pouch young on the seasonality of births in the marsupial possum, Trichosurus vulpecula

Melatonin implants were placed in 5 adult female possums during December. Births were observed from 31 March to 12 April in 4 control possums, and on 16 January, 1 and 6 February, 27 March and 27 April in the melatonin-treated animals. Melatonin would appear to have advanced the start of the breeding season in 3 of the 5 animals. Following removal of pouch young a subsequent birth is more likely to occur when young are removed early in the breeding season. These results would suggest that daylength may play a role in the initiation of the breeding season and the stimulus to mate diminishes from March through to September. Nevertheless, if the environmental conditions are favourable a secondary peak of births can occur in the later part of the year.     

Maternal plasma catecholamines in the rhesus macaque during late gestation: effect of photoperiod and timed melatonin infusion.

This study tested the hypothesis that changes in photoperiod alter plasma catecholamine concentrations in the rhesus monkey during late gestation. Twelve chronically catheterized pregnant rhesus macaques were acclimated to a 12-h photoperiod (lights-on, 0700-1900 h). Under the control L:D cycle, blood samples were collected at 3-h intervals over 24 h for catecholamine analysis. Plasma concentrations (mean +/- SEM, pg/ml) ranged from 678 +/- 90 to 928 +/- 142 for norepinephrine; 230 +/- 22 to 631 +/- 141 for epinephrine; and 282 +/- 70 to 1090 +/- 362 for dopamine. A diurnal rhythm was observed in epinephrine with peak concentrations during lights-on (0900-1800 h; p less than 0.05, compared to lights-off). After the first sampling protocol, the animals were divided equally between two groups: phase shift, in which lights-on was shifted 11 h (2000-0800 h) and constant light, with lights on continuously. After the phase shift, a parallel shift in the plasma epinephrine rhythm was noted, with peak levels observed between 2200 and 0700 h (p less than 0.05). Constant light abolished the rhythm in epinephrine, with an overall reduction in mean basal levels of all three catecholamines. Daily melatonin infusions (0.2 micrograms/kg/h, 1900-0630 h) under constant light failed to restore the epinephrine rhythm or to return basal catecholamine concentrations to control photoperiod levels. These data suggest that photoperiod entrains the rhythm in epinephrine secretion, but the rhythm is ablated under constant conditions. Further, melatonin does not appear to play a role in the regulation of catecholamine secretion in the pregnant rhesus macaque.     

Role of the pituitary gland in the development of photorefractoriness and generation of long-term changes in prolactin secretion in rams

Hypothalamo-pituitary disconnected Soay rams were exposed to two photoperiodic treatments: 1) constant long days (16L:8D) for 48 wk after pretreatment under short days (LD group), and 2) constant short days (8L:16D) for 48 wk after pretreatment under long days (SD group). In the LD group, plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations increased from 0 to 8 wk (maximum: 143.3 +/- 8.4 microg/l; 8.8 +/- 1. 2 wk), decreased from 9 to 34 wk (minimum: 15.6 +/- 1.6 microg/l; 34. 5 +/- 1.5 wk), and finally increased again under the constant conditions, with a similar cyclical pattern for all individuals. In the SD group, PRL concentrations showed an inverse pattern (minimum: 8.6 +/- 2.6 microg/l; 17.1 +/- 2.0 wk; maximum: 46.4 +/- 5.5 microg/l; 30.2 +/- 3.2 wk), with more variability. Plasma concentrations of FSH were basal in both groups. The duration of the daily nocturnal melatonin peak (measured at 10, 24, and 44 wk) remained close to 8 h under long days (high-fidelity melatonin signal) but decreased significantly (13.8 h to 9.3 h) under short days (low-fidelity melatonin signal). The results support the conclusion that the melatonin signal encoding photoperiod acts within the pituitary gland to induce both acute (inductive) and chronic (refractory) effects photoperiod on PRL secretion.     

Short day lengths affect perinatal development of the male reproductive system in the Siberian hamster, Phodopus sungorus.

The Siberian hamster, Phodopus sungorus, breeds seasonally. In the laboratory, seasonal breeding can be controlled by photoperiod, which affects the duration of nightly melatonin secretion. Winterlike, short day lengths induce gonadal regression in adult animals, and pups born and maintained in short days undergo pubertal gonadal development later than animals born into long days. However, to date there have been no reports of gestational photoperiod affecting fetal development of reproductive systems. The spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) and its target muscles, the bulbocavernosus (BC) and levator ani (LA), compose a sexually dimorphic, androgen-sensitive neuromuscular system involved in male reproduction. The SNB neuromuscular system was studied in male Siberian hamsters maintained from conception in short-day (8 h light, 16 h dark; 8L:16D) versus long-day (16L:8D) conditions. On the day of birth, and at postnatal (PN) days 2 and 18, the BC/LA muscles of hamsters gestated and raised in the short photoperiod were significantly reduced relative to those of their long-day counterparts. Testes weights were not significantly different between groups until day 18. Thus, photoperiod exposure during gestation and after birth affects perinatal development of the SNB system in this species, and these effects can be seen as early as the day of birth. Because photoperiod did not significantly affect testes weights until PN18, these results suggest that either perinatal photoperiod affects fetal androgen production without affecting testes weight or it influences BC/LA development independently from androgen.     

The role of refractorinesss to long daylength in the annual reproductive cycle of the female Bennett's Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus)

The beginning of the breeding season of the female Bennett's wallaby occurs when seasonal quiescence terminates 1-2 months after the summer solstice. In this study, the role of photoperiod in terminating seasonal quiescence was examined. One week before the summer solstice, five non-lactating wallabies were transferred from natural to artificial summer solstice daylength for 5 months. The beginning of the breeding season in these animals as indicated by births, matings, and peripheral progesterone profiles was not different from that of five control animals maintained on natural photoperiod. The following year, three animals were transferred from natural to summer solstice daylength on February 25 and were held on the artificial photoperiod until September 30. Changes in plasma progesterone concentrations indicative of the beginning of the breeding season occurred on June 12-30 (range), which was significantly (P less than 0.01) advanced by 29 days when compared with six control animals. These results indicate that the decrease in daylength that occurs after the summer solstice is not required to induce the termination of seasonal quiescence at the beginning of the breeding season. Further, the beginning of the breeding season can be advanced by transferring animals to long daylength early in seasonal quiescence. Photorefractoriness to long daylengths may therefore be important in the initiation of the breeding season in this species. In further experiments, groups of six animals were transferred from natural to artificial summer solstice daylength on September 26 and December 9 and pouch young were removed 7 days after the transfer. In September, reactivation of the quiescent corpus luteum followed soon after removal of pouch young (RPY) indicating that exposure to long daylength had not induced a transition into seasonal quiescence. In December, RPY was not followed by reactivation of the quiescent corpus luteum indicating that animals were in seasonal quiescence. These results suggest that the female Bennett's wallaby may need to experience a period of shortening days after the summer solstice before exposure to long days can again initiate seasonal quiescence.     

Importance of photoperiods in determining temporal pattern of annual testicular events in rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri).

Male rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) were transferred to a long photoperiod (LP; LD 16:8) or a short photoperiod (SP; LD 8:16) for 45 or 90 days on four dates corresponding to the beginnings of different reproductive phases in an annual testicular cycle, and testicular responsiveness was evaluated by comparison with the testicular volume, weight, seminiferous tubular diameter, and germ cell profiles of birds in a natural photoperiod (NP). Exposure of birds to LP during the progressive phase (November) led to precocious maturation of testes after 45 days, but induced regression at 90 days. After showing retarded gametogenic functions at 45 days, parallel (November) SP birds exhibited an accelerated rate of germ cell formation at day 90. During the prebreeding phase (January), there were no remarkable differences in any features of testes among NP. LP, and SP birds at 45 days, but gonadal involution in LP parakeets and active spermatogenesis in SP birds occurred after 90 days. The testes did not show any response to LP or SP for 45 and 90 days when the birds were transferred to altered photoperiods during the breeding (March) and preparatory (June) phases, indicating that the parakeets were photorefractory for at least 6 months (March through September). The results also suggest that initiation and termination of seasonal gametogenic activity in parakeets are possibly functions of endogenous rhythmicity or extraphotoperiodic environmental factors. Duration of light may have certain influences on the attainment of annual peak in spermatogenesis, but in all probability the species has a low photoperiod threshold for induction of testicular growth.