Long-term rhythms of testicular volume and plasma prolactin concentrations in rams reared for 3 years in constant photoperiod. 1982

C M Howles, and J Craigon, and N B Haynes

Two groups of 6 rams were kept under constant photoperiod consisting of short days (8 h light (L): 16 h dark (D); Group S) and long days (16 h L:8 h D; Group L) from 4 to 38 months of age. Five other rams were reared under a photoperiod representative of that occurring naturally (Group N). Testis size and plasma prolactin concentrations were obtained weekly. These data were subjected to time series analysis. The results indicated that there were persistent periodic excursions in both parameters measured. In Group N, the average cycle length for both testis volume and plasma prolactin was about 1 year and the peaks in plasma prolactin preceded those in testis volume by about 18 weeks. Rams from Group L also showed rhythmical changes in these parameters with periodicities of around 35 weeks and it is suggested that these cyclic changes may constitute true endogenous circannual rhythms; again the prolactin peaks preceded those of testis volume by about 18 weeks. Overall, rams from Group S had excursions of testis growth of a similar magnitude to those of Group L but the changes were less regular than those of Group L. Plasma prolactin was significantly lower in Group S than in Group L and there was little evidence for rhythmicity. It is proposed on the basis of the temporal relationship between peaks of prolactin and testis volume in Groups N and L, that prolactin may play a role in the timing of the reproductive cycle in the ram.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008027 Light That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared range. Light, Visible,Photoradiation,Radiation, Visible,Visible Radiation,Photoradiations,Radiations, Visible,Visible Light,Visible Radiations
D008297 Male Males
D010507 Periodicity The tendency of a phenomenon to recur at regular intervals; in biological systems, the recurrence of certain activities (including hormonal, cellular, neural) may be annual, seasonal, monthly, daily, or more frequently (ultradian). Cyclicity,Rhythmicity,Biological Rhythms,Bioperiodicity,Biorhythms,Biological Rhythm,Bioperiodicities,Biorhythm,Cyclicities,Periodicities,Rhythm, Biological,Rhythmicities,Rhythms, Biological
D011388 Prolactin A lactogenic hormone secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). It is a polypeptide of approximately 23 kD. Besides its major action on lactation, in some species prolactin exerts effects on reproduction, maternal behavior, fat metabolism, immunomodulation and osmoregulation. Prolactin receptors are present in the mammary gland, hypothalamus, liver, ovary, testis, and prostate. Lactogenic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropic Hormone, Pituitary,Mammotropin,PRL (Prolactin),Hormone, Pituitary Lactogenic,Hormone, Pituitary Mammotropic,Pituitary Lactogenic Hormone,Pituitary Mammotropic Hormone
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012756 Sheep Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS. Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli
D013737 Testis The male gonad containing two functional parts: the SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES for the production and transport of male germ cells (SPERMATOGENESIS) and the interstitial compartment containing LEYDIG CELLS that produce ANDROGENS. Testicles,Testes,Testicle

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