Effects of Photoperiod Alterations on Adrenocortical, Pineal and Gonadal Activity in Nocturnal bird, Athene brama and Diurnal bird, Perdicula asiatica

Abstract

Abstract Present study showed the influence of photoperiod alterations on adrenal gland weight, adrenal lipids and plasma corticosterone profiles (adrenocortical function), and pineal and gonadal weights of two Indian tropical male and female birds belonging to nocturnal (Spotted owlet, Athene brama) and diurnal (Jungle bush quail, Perdicula asiatica) habitats. Exposure of both sexes of nocturnal birds to long photoperiod (LP, 16L:8D, light between 6:00 to 22:00hr) and continuous illumination (CL) during reproductive recrudescence and active phases, respectively, increased adrenal weight, adrenal lipids, such as phospholipids, free and esterified cholesterol, as well as plasma corticosterone levels. Concomitantly, the LP treatment elevated the gonado-somatic index while decreased the pineal gland weight, however, the CL treatment was ineffective to alter gondal and pineal activity. Exposure of both sexes of nocturnal birds to short photoperiod (SP, 8L:16D, light between 9:00 to 17:00hr) and continuous dar...