Abstract
Male and female Djungarian hamsters maintained from birth in a short photoperiod (8 h light per day; 8L:16D) showed substantial testicular and uterine growth in response to a single long photoperiod or a 15-min light pulse that interrupted the 16-h dark period at 18 days of age. These light regimens resulted in heavier testes and uteri at 30 and 35 days of age when compared with those of control animals. Similar results were obtained in hamsters maintained from birth to Day 18 in a long photoperiod (16L:8D), given a single longer day (20L:4D) or constant light on Day 18 and then transferred to a short photoperiod (8L:16D) on Day 19. At 35 days of age animals that received extended light treatment on Day 18 had significantly more developed reproductive structures than did control hamsters. The marked effects of brief light treatment in producing long-term changes in the reproductive axis provide a convenient mammalian model system in which to study neuroendocrine events that underlie photoperiodism.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
