Light, thyroid, gonad, and photorefractory state in the migratory redheaded bunting, Emberiza bruniceps

Abstract

When exposed to constant long photoperiods the redheaded bunting, Emberiza bruniceps, was shown to become absolutely photorefractory and the condition was observed to be accelerated by thyroidectomy. Photoinduced gonadal growth was inhibited partially and the photoinduced increase in body weight was inhibited completely by throidectomy. Injection of thyroxine reversed the effects of thyroidectomy if administered during the nonbreeding photosensitive or breeding states, but had no effect in birds which had entered the photorefractory state. Gonadal growth was stimulated by pregnant mare serum gonadotropin in intact and thyroidectomized photorefractory birds, suggesting that thyroidectomy does not lead to loss of response of the gonads to gonadotrophins but directly affects the secretion of gonadotrophins. Injection of prolactin increased the body weight of intact but not of thyroidectomized photorefractory birds, suggesting that metabolic photorefractoriness is due to a decreased secretion of prolactin and that the effects of T 4 on body weight depend on its synergism with prolactin. It is suggested that thyroid hormone(s) may be part of the coupling mechanism(s) for body weight and gonad development cycles and that the beneficial role of thyroid hormones may consist in an increased threshold of the central nerous system control of neuroendocrine functions towards the negative feedback regulation of increased sex steroid levels.