Interaction of daylength and lactation in the control of pelage development and nest-building in female meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus).
Pregnancy and lactation inhibited moult into winter pelage in voles maintained in short daylengths; development of a winter pelage was, however, greatly accelerated once the short-day dams weaned their litters. The presumed elevation of prolactin titres during lactation appears to mask full development and expression of pelage changes induced by short daylengths. Nest-building behaviour, by contrast, was increased in response to short photoperiods and was further augmented during lactation and may thereby facilitate thermoregulation in short-day dams that do not develop a winter pelage.
Lee
T M
TM
Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
Smale
L
L
Zucker
I
I
Dark
J
J
D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development*; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D009425:Nesting Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy