A neuroendocrine model for prolactin as the key mediator of seasonal breeding in birds under long- and short-day photoperiods

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J Sharp ◽  
Dominique Blache
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Seasonal Breeding ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Short Day ◽  
Long Day

Seasonal breeding is associated with sequential increases in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin in the short-day breeding emu, and in long-day breeding birds that terminate breeding by the development of reproductive photorefractoriness. A model of the avian neuroendocrine photoperiodic reproductive response is proposed, incorporating a role for prolactin, to account for neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling both long- and short-day breeding. The breeding season terminates after circulating concentrations of prolactin increase above a critical threshold to depress gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal and gonadotrope (LH) activity. Subsequently, photorefractoriness develops for prolactin secretion and for LH secretion, independently of high plasma prolactin. The breeding season in the emu is advanced compared with long-day breeders, because after photorefractiness for both LH and prolactin secretion is dissipated, plasma concentrations of both hormones increase to maximum values while days are still short.Key words: seasonal breeding, prolactin, gonadotropin releasing hormone, photorefactoriness.

Changes in plasma prolactin in male starlings during testicular regression under short days compared with those during photorefractoriness

1984 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Goldsmith ◽  
T. J. Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Short Day ◽  
Long Day ◽  
Testicular Regression ◽  
Short Days

ABSTRACT Male starlings which had fully developed testes under 11-h daily photoperiods were subjected for 10 weeks to daylengths either increasing or decreasing by 30 min per week. In both cases testicular regression occurred; in the former case this was complete due to photorefractoriness, and was accompanied by a postnuptial moult and a marked (P <0·01) rise in plasma prolactin concentration. In the latter case the rate of gonadal regression was slow and variable and no moulting was observed. Plasma prolactin remained very low. Eventually the birds which had experienced decreasing photoperiods were transferred to long (16 h) days; they were shown to be photosensitive since their testes redeveloped rapidly. There was also a rise in plasma prolactin, the birds eventually showed the full testicular regression characteristic of photorefractoriness, and moulting occurred. These results show that raised prolactin secretion is not associated with short-day-induced testicular regression but only with long-day-induced photorefractoriness. J. Endocr. (1984) 102, 353–356

Photic cues induce multiple neuroendocrine adjustments in testicular function

1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (2) ◽  
pp. R199-R206 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Blank ◽  
C. Desjardins
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Deer Mice ◽  
Testicular Function ◽  
Short Day ◽  
Environmental Lighting ◽  
Null Response

Neuroendocrine responses were evaluated in an outbred population of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus nebrascensis) after exposure to an inhibitory photoperiod (8:16 light-dark) for 10 wk. Deer mice were chosen as an animal model for this study because they are typical of naturally selected species that rely on environmental factors to signal the onset or cessation of annual reproductive effort. Short photoperiods induced multiple neuroendocrine adjustments as judged by three types of spermatogenic responses: normal, intermediate, and azoospermic individuals. Plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone and testosterone coincided with gradations in spermatogenic activity. In contrast, plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone were unaffected. Prolactin secretion was lowered in all mice exposed to short day lengths, regardless of sperm count. These results demonstrate that short photoperiods engage at least three types of neuroendocrine adjustments: 1) a suppression in luteinizing hormone and testosterone secretion accompanying spermatogenic arrest, 2) a reduction in prolactin secretion independent of changes in testicular function, and 3) a null response in gonadotrophic hormone secretion in which spermatogenesis is unimpaired by short day lengths. The neuroendocrine subsets identified in this model provide new evidence that photic cues induce three types of adjustments in pituitary-testicular function. These subsets are readily identified, and they can be easily exploited to dissect and manipulate the suite of neural, endocrine, and metabolic adaptations triggered by environmental lighting among mammals with annual reproductive strategies.

Effects of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and Its Agonists on Prolactin Secretion from Normal and Tumorous Pituitary Cells

1989 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-163
Author(s):  
Steven W.J. Lamberts ◽  
Piet Uitterlinden ◽  
Jean-Claude Reubi ◽  
Frank H. de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Pituitary Cells ◽  
Releasing Hormone

Effects of infusion of thyrotrophin releasing hormone and dopamine either alone or in combination on plasma prolactin concentrations in the anoestrous ewe

1983 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-357
Author(s):  
B. F. Fitzgerald ◽  
F. J. Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Regulatory Role ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Thyrotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Releasing Hormone

Plasma concentrations of prolactin in anoestrous ewes were respectively lowered or raised by the separate infusion of dopamine or thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH). Combined treatment with dopamine and TRH lowered the concentration of prolactin in plasma but the values increased markedly after the treatment was stopped and reached a level equivalent to that found in ewes treated with TRH alone. The results are interpreted as evidence that both dopamine and TRH play a regulatory role in determining the secretion of prolactin in the ewe.

Effect of various anaesthetics on resting plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin in ovariectomized ewes

1983 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. Clarke ◽  
B. W. Doughton
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Pulse Amplitude ◽  
Experimental Series ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Pulsatile Secretion ◽  
Induction Of Anaesthesia

Effects of various anaesthetics on plasma LH, FSH and prolactin levels were studied in ovariectomized ewes. In the first experimental series, conducted between June and November (late breeding season, early anoestrous season), the following treatments were given: saline (i.v.) (n = 7); single thiopentone injection (i.v.) (n = 4); induction of anaesthesia for 2 h with thiopentone (n = 5), ketamine/thiopentone mixture (n = 6), Alphathesin (n = 6) or induction with thiopentone and maintenance with halothane (n = 6). The major findings were: (1) halothane anaesthesia reduced mean plasma LH levels by preventing pulsatile secretion of LH; (2) Alphathesin had the least effect on tonic LH concentration; (3) a single thiopentone injection did not affect LH levels; (4) continuous thiopentone anaesthesia increased LH pulse amplitude; (5) plasma FSH concentration was not affected by any of the treatments; (6) ketamine/thiopentone-induced and Alphathesin-induced anaesthesia increased plasma prolactin levels. In a second experimental series four ovariectomized ewes were anaesthetized with thiopentone for 3 h in January. In contrast to the results obtained with thiopentone in August, treatment in January reduced plasma LH pulse amplitude and mean plasma LH levels. These latter results support the hypothesis that there may be seasonal variation in responses to barbiturate anaesthesia.

Modulating actions of estradiol on gonadotropin-releasing hormone—stimulated prolactin secretion in postmenopausal individuals

1987 ◽  
Vol 157 (2) ◽  
pp. 320-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Christiansen ◽  
Johannes D. Veldhuis ◽  
Alan D. Rogol ◽  
Paul Stumpf ◽  
William S. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Releasing Hormone

Periovulatory Plasma Prolactin Response to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone: Role of Endogenous Opiates

1990 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 717-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura De Marinis ◽  
Antonio Mancini ◽  
Colomba D’Amico ◽  
Francesco Calabró ◽  
Paolo Zuppi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Endogenous Opiates ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Prolactin Response

Involvement of the adrenal gland in the suckling-induced decrease in LH and FSH secretion and the concomitant increase in prolactin secretion in the rat

1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Taya ◽  
S. Sasamoto
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Follicular Maturation ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Ovulatory Follicles

ABSTRACT The role of the adrenal gland in the regulation of gonadotrophin and prolactin secretion in the lactating rat was investigated. Changes in secretion of LH, FSH, prolactin, ACTH, β-lipotrophin (β-LPH), inhibin, corticosterone and progesterone after adrenalectomy were examined during the second half of lactation. Follicular maturation was determined by the ability of the follicles to ovulate in response to 10IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Adrenalectomy on day 10 of lactation prevented an increase in plasma concentrations of LH and FSH in response to ovariectomy performed at the same time as adrenalectomy, and markedly stimulated secretion of ACTH, β-LPH and prolactin. Adrenalectomy reduced the number of follicles capable of ovulating in response to hCG. Concentrations of inhibin and progesterone in the plasma significantly decreased after adrenalectomy, indicating that development of ovulatory follicles and luteal function had been suppressed. Abolishing the increase in plasma concentrations of LH and inducing a decrease in FSH in the plasma by adrenalectomy therefore prevented maturation of a new set of follicles usually seen during the second half of lactation in rats. The decrease in plasma concentrations of LH also inhibited the ability of the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone, although high concentrations of plasma prolactin were maintained in adrenalectomized lactating rats. These results indicate that the pituitary-adrenal system is capable of influencing the maintenance of a normal secretion of gonadotrophin and prolactin as well as the maintenance of ovarian function during lactation in the rat. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 125, 279—285

Role of the adrenal cortex in chronic stress-induced inhibition of prolactin secretion in male rats

1989 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. López-Calderón ◽  
C. Ariznavarreta ◽  
M. D. Calderón ◽  
J. A. F. Tresguerres ◽  
M. I. Gonzalez-Quijano
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Cortex ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Immobilization Stress ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Prolonged Release ◽  
Plasma Prolactin

ABSTRACT The response of prolactin to chronic stress in intact, adrenalectomized and adrenomedullectomized male rats was studied. Immobilization stress in intact animals induced a significant increase in plasma concentrations of prolactin after 20 and 45 min and a significant decrease when the rats were submitted to chronic restraint (6 h daily for 4 days). Five weeks after adrenomedullectomy, plasma prolactin and corticosterone responses to chronic stress were not modified. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of chronic stress on prolactin secretion was totally suppressed by adrenalectomy. When treated with dexamethasone during the 4 days of restraint, adrenalectomized stressed rats showed similar plasma concentrations of prolactin to the intact stressed rats. These data indicate that the adrenal cortex is able to play an inhibitory role on prolactin secretion during stress only through a prolonged release of glucocorticoids. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 120, 269–273

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