Photic and nonphotic seasonal cues differentially engage hypothalamic kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide mRNA expression in Siberian hamsters.

ABSTRACT: Seasonally breeding animals use a combination of photic (i.e. day length) and nonphotic (e.g. food availability, temperature) cues to regulate their reproduction. How these environmental cues are integrated is not understood. To assess the potential role of two candidate neuropeptides, kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP), we monitored regional changes in their gene expression in a seasonally breeding mammal exposed to moderate changes in photoperiod and food availability. Adult male Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were housed under a long (16 h light/day; 16 L) or intermediate (13.5 L) photoperiod and fed ad lib. or a progressive food restriction schedule (FR; reduced to 80% of ad lib.) for 11 weeks. Gonadal regression occurred only in FR hamsters housed under 13.5 L. Imm

SUBMITTER: Paul MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2789174 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature