Seasonal changes in the pineal gland related to the reproductive cycle in the male hare, Lepus europaeus.
During the autumn months, the gonads and reproductive tract of adult male hares (Lepus europaeus) are regressed and circulating gonadotrophin levels are low. At this time the pineal glands are most active as judged by the organ size, and the nuclear and cytoplasmic size of the pinealocytes. There was an inverse relationship between the size of the pineal gland and the weight of the testis, the plasma and testicular testosterone levels, and possibly also the plasma LH levels.
D000818:Animals; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013739:Testosterone / Q000032:analysis
D013739:Testosterone