Seasonal changes in activity of hypothalamic thyroid hormone system in different winter phenotypes of Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus).

ABSTRACT: Although the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) is a seasonality model, it presents substantial variability in winter acclimation. In response to short photoperiod, some individuals express a suite of winter traits such as low body mass, regressed gonads, white fur, and daily torpor, while others develop only some adjustments or maintain a summer phenotype. Despite comprehensive research, the mechanisms underlying polymorphism of winter phenotype are still unknown. We compared key elements of the hypothalamic thyroid hormone system, as well as the tanycyte architecture in hamsters of both sexes. Individuals presented different responses to short photoperiod characterized either as phenotypes (non-responder, partial-responder and full-responder) or photoresponsive index. We measured the

SUBMITTER: Przybylska-Piech AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11508246 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature