| Abstract: | Adult rams were submitted to an artificial light regime with increasing and decreasing daylengths between 6 and 20 hrs. over a period of 8 months. Blood samples occurred at different durations of daylengths for measuring plasma levels of prolactin. Levels were high for a daily duration of light of 14.20, 17 and 18.30 hrs. along the increasing light-phase and of 18.30 hrs. during the decreasing light-phase. On the other hand prolactin levels were low for short daylengths, but also for a daylength of 20 hrs. It clearly appears that hyperlong days (greater than 18 hrs.) do not stimulate (or do actively inhibit) the secretion of prolactin in ovines. |
