Gonadal function in male offspring of pinealectomized female rats.
Female rats were exposed to a short (6 L: 18 D) photoperiod from 21 days of age. On day 2 of gestation, animals were pinealectomized 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 30, 42 and 49 after birth. Pinealectomy of the mother induced the following modifications: in 30-day-old offsprings, a decrease in prostatic weight and plasma dihydrotestosterone level; in 42-day-old rats, a decrease in prostatic weight, in testicular androstenedione and dihydrotestosterone content, and in plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels; in 49-day-old animals, decreased testicular and plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels. These results indicate that rat testicular function, after exposure to a short photoperiod beginning before conception, is decreased by maternal pinealectomy. The mother's pineal gland may play a part in the control of rat testicular function.
Jarrige
J F
JF
Laboratoire de Physiologie, U.A.C.N.R.S. Interrelations hormonales et développement, Faculté de Médecine, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Tlemcani
O
O
Boucher
D
D
D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione