Photoperiod times ontogeny of androgen receptor-immunoreactive cells in ferrets.
Regional increases in the density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive (AR-IR) brain cells are temporally correlated with pubertal maturation in male ferrets. If these increases in AR-IR cells are directly linked to pubertal maturation, then experimentally advancing the onset of puberty should similarly advance the timing of the increase in AR-IR cells. Photoinduction of pubertal maturation by transfer to long photoperiods advanced the onset of gonadal growth, elevated testosterone secretion and increased density of AR-IR cells in regions of the hypothalamus, relative to ferrets undergoing spontaneous pubertal maturation under short photoperiods. This experiment provides evidence that an increase in the density of AR-IR cells in specific brain regions is a neuroanatomical correlate of puberty that is also influenced by environmental day length.
Kashon
M L
ML
Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
Sisk
C L
CL
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D005289:Ferrets; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D017440:Photoperiod; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology
D011944:Receptors, Androgen