Ontogeny of the photoperiodic control of prolactin and luteinizing hormone secretion in male and female bantams (Gallus domesticus).
The development of the photoperiodic responses for prolactin and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion was determined in the bantam (Gallus domesticus), which becomes somatically mature at 16-18 weeks of age. Male and female bantams were reared from hatch on short days (8 h light/day) and photostimulated by transfer to 20 h light/day at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Photostimulation at all ages stimulated a robust increase in prolactin secretion in both sexes. Luteinizing hormone secretion was also stimulated except in 4-week-old females and 16-week-old males. It is concluded that the neural pathways involved in the photoperiodic control of LH and prolactin secretion are mature in juvenile bantams well before somatic maturity.
Sreekumar
K P
KP
Division of Development and Reproduction, Roslin Institute, Midlothian, United Kingdom.
Sharp
P J
PJ
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D010057:Oviducts / Q000502:physiology; D017440:Photoperiod; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone