Pinealectomy and lesions of the suprachiasmatic nucleus affect the castration response in hamsters exposed to short photoperiods.
Castration of male hamsters that have been exposed to a nonstimulatory photoperiod (e.g., LD 6:18) results in an attenuated increase in serum LH and FSH levels when compared to the increase observed following castration of hamsters exposed to a stimulatory photoperiod (e.g., LD 14:10). The short-day-induced inhibition of pituitary gonadotropin release, which is not dependent on the negative feedback effects of gonadal steroid hormones, is abolished if (1) the animals are transferred to LD 14:10; (2) the suprachiasmatic nuclei are lesioned at the time of castration; or (3) pinealectomy accompanies castration. These results indicate that both the pineal gland and the SCN mediate the steroid-independent inhibition of pituitary gonadotropin release that occurs during exposure to short days.
D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D006224:Cricetinae; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008027:Light; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000502:physiology; D008647:Mesocricetus; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008550:Melatonin