Effect of Monochromatic Light on Plasma and Mrna Levels of Luteinising Hormone, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, and their Receptors in the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Gonadal Axis of Pigeons

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of monochromatic light on luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations, LH and FSH mRNA levels, and mRNA levels of their receptors (LHR and FSHR) in Pigeons (Columba livia). A total of 60 paired adult White King pigeons were randomly divided into four groups; each group was exposed to violet light (VL), green light (GL), red light (RL), or white light for 16 h. Nine paired pigeons from each group were selected for analysis of FSH and LH concentrations and six paired pigeons from each group were selected for analysis of mRNA. The results showed that the concentration of LH in females was lower in the VL group (P<0.05), and in males, it was lower in the VL and GL groups (P<0.05). The concentration of FSH in females was significantly higher in the RL group than in the VL group (P<0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in males (P>0.05). In females, the LH and FSH mRNA levels were relatively high in the pituitary gland, whereas LHR and FSHR mRNA levels were relatively high in the ovary. In males, the LH, LHR, FSH, and FSHR mRNA levels were high in the pituitary gland, whereas their respective mRNA levels were relatively low in the testis. These results suggest that RL has the potential to improve LH and FSH concentrations and mRNA levels, and indicates that RL could promote reproductive performance of pigeons.