Biomaterial Database

A circadian rhythm in photosensitivity as the basis for the testicular response of Japanese quail to intermittent light. 1980

T D Siopes, and W O Wilson

In order to examine the relationship between the circadian rhythm in photosensitivity and intermittent light in stimulating testicular development, Japanese quail were exposed to intermittent light providing a single dark period interruption varying from .5 to 10 hr in duration. The treatment lasted for 3 weeks. Changes in the cloacal gland size were monitored throughout the test and testis weights were taken at the end of the test (7 and 11 weeks of age). The results indicated that quail have a circadian rhythm in photosensitivity occurring approximately 12 hr after the onset of light (dark-light interface) which lasts for 4 to 6 hr. Testicular stimulation occurred only when light was given within the photosensitive phase. However, this rhythm is subject to phase shifting by night interrupting light flashes. This resulted in variable testicular responses depending upon the relationship between the position of the new photosensitive phase and the available light. Photostimulation of the testes was proportional to the duration of light within the photosensitive phase up to a maximum of 4 hr of light. Intermittent light may be as effective as a single, long photoperiod in stimulating testes development providing that an adequate amount of light is given during the photosensitive phase.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007564	Japan	A country in eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula. The capital is Tokyo.	Bonin Islands
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
D009929	Organ Size	The measurement of an organ in volume, mass, or heaviness.	Organ Volume,Organ Weight,Size, Organ,Weight, Organ
D002940	Circadian Rhythm	The regular recurrence, in cycles of about 24 hours, of biological processes or activities, such as sensitivity to drugs or environmental and physiological stimuli.	Diurnal Rhythm,Nyctohemeral Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythm,Nycthemeral Rhythm,Circadian Rhythms,Diurnal Rhythms,Nycthemeral Rhythms,Nyctohemeral Rhythms,Rhythm, Circadian,Rhythm, Diurnal,Rhythm, Nycthemeral,Rhythm, Nyctohemeral,Rhythm, Twenty-Four Hour,Rhythms, Circadian,Rhythms, Diurnal,Rhythms, Nycthemeral,Rhythms, Nyctohemeral,Rhythms, Twenty-Four Hour,Twenty Four Hour Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythms
D002988	Cloaca	A dilated cavity extended caudally from the hindgut. In adult birds, reptiles, amphibians, and many fishes but few mammals, cloaca is a common chamber into which the digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts discharge their contents. In most mammals, cloaca gives rise to LARGE INTESTINE; URINARY BLADDER; and GENITALIA.	Cloacas
D003370	Coturnix	A genus of BIRDS in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES, containing the common European and other Old World QUAIL.	Japanese Quail,Coturnix japonica,Japanese Quails,Quail, Japanese,Quails, Japanese
D005260	Female		Females
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
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