Influence of melatonin on the initiation of the breeding season of the marsupial bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus.
Melatonin implants were administered to 6 female bandicoots during the months of May and July. These animals, together with 6 control bandicoots were housed in large outside enclosures with mature males. Births were observed in the 6 control animals from 26 July to 2 September, but no births were observed in the 6 bandicoots with melatonin implants. These results would suggest that photoperiod, which is known to influence melatonin concentrations, may be a factor in the initiation of births in the bandicoot. However, the gradual build-up of births would suggest that other factors such as temperature and rainfall may also have some influence.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009115:Muridae / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
D011374:Progesterone; D008550:Melatonin