Induction of testicular growth and sexual activity in rams by a 'skeleton' short-day photoperiod.
Eight adult rams were housed in 16L:8D for 16 weeks and then exposed to short days (8L:16D) or 'skeleton' short days (11L:1D:5L:7D) for 16 weeks before being returned to long days. The 'skeleton' treatment promoted testicular development and regression in a way similar to that occurring in 8L:16D, indicating that a change in the total quantity of light is not a prerequisite for the photoperiodic response in the ram.
D000818:Animals; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D010507:Periodicity; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development*