title: [Influence of the maternal pineal gland on the testicular function in rats].
abstract: Female rats were exposed to a short (6L:18D) photoperiod from 21 days of age. On day 2 of gestation, animals were pinealectomized or sham-operated. Lighting regimens were not changed during the course of the study. Male offspring of the 2 groups of rats were sacrificed on days 21 after birth. Pinealectomy of the mother induced the following modifications: a decrease in prostate and seminal vesicle weights, a decrease in testicular testosterone and androstenedione content and in plasma dihydrotestosterone levels. We conclude that when rats are maintained on a 6L:18D cycle the maternal pineal gland stimulates the testicular function in 21-day-old offspring.
authors: Laboratoire de Physiologie, Biologie de la Reproduction, Faculté de Médecine, Clermont-Ferrand.
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Jarrige
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Boucher
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens
vernacular_title: Influence de la glande pinéale maternelle sur la fonction testiculaire du rat.