The influence of multiple photoperiods and pinealectomy on gonads, pelage and body weight in male meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus.
1. Chronic exposure of male Microtus pennsylvanicus to photoperiods with 8, 10 and 12 hr of light per day results in gonadal regression, molt to winter pelage and significant reductions in body weight and food consumption relative to voles kept on photoperiods with 13 and 14 hr of light per day. 2. A precise critical daylength is observed in this species as exposure to photoperiods with 12 or fewer hours of light per day results in complete gonadal involution, seasonal molt and loss of body weight. 3. Pinealectomy abolishes all short-photoperiod induced responses in this species.
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Department of Biology, Saint Anselm College, Manchester, New Hampshire 03102.
D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D006197:Hair / Q000502:physiology; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D010507:Periodicity; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology