Photoperiod Affects Harderian Gland Morphology and Secretion in Female Cricetulus barabensis: Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Mitochondria.

ABSTRACT: Photoperiod is an important factor of mammalian seasonal rhythm. The Harderian gland (HG) appears to act as a "standby" structure of the retinal-pineal axis, mediating light signals in vitro and neuroendocrine regulation in vivo; however, the effect of photoperiod on the HG is not clear. Here, we studied morphological differences in the HG of female striped dwarf hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis), a small mammal that experiences an annual rhythm, under different photoperiods (i.e., SP, short photoperiod; MP, moderate photoperiod; LP, long photoperiod), and further investigated the molecular mechanisms related to these morphological differences. Results showed that body weight, carcass weight, and HG weight were higher in the SP and LP groups than that in the MP group. Protein expression of

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7218128 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature