Photoperiodic regulation of reproductive development in male prairie voles: influence of laboratory breeding

Two populations of male prairie voles, one derived from an outbred laboratory colony and the second consisting of F1 offspring of wild-trapped voles, were tested for responsiveness to photoperiod. Animals were reared from birth until 35 days of age either in 16L:8D or 8L:16D photoperiods. Short day lengths did not affect the reproductive apparatus of the laboratory-strain voles; however, offspring of wild-caught voles manifested arrested development of the reproductive system in short photoperiods. These results suggest that selection processes associated with laboratory husbandry can alter responsiveness to photoperiod; the use of wild-trapped animals or their F1 progeny is indicated in photoperiodism research.