Linked Life Data

2972832

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/2972832

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1988-12-22
pubmed:abstractText
Adult hedgehogs, maintained in captivity under natural environmental conditions of photoperiod and ambient temperature, were bled monthly. Plasma was assayed for melatonin, testosterone, prolactin, thyroxin, beta-endorphin and both plasma and urine for cortisol. Melatonin concentrations followed a circannual pattern, maximal between November and February at photoperiods less than 10L:14D, which is suggested as a key photoperiod. beta-Endorphin concentrations were maximal between March and September, coinciding with the reproductively active season of the hedgehog. Prolactin values were elevated during hibernation, indicating continued hypothalamo-pituitary axis activity. Testosterone and thyroxin levels were high between February and July and February and August respectively. During spring thyroxin concentrations rose 1 month later in females than males, reflecting the earlier arousal of the males from hibernation. There were no marked seasonal cycles of plasma or urinary cortisol. The results indicate photoperiod as the main factor in regulating hedgehog seasonality, with melatonin, beta-endorphin and prolactin important in the timing of reactivation of reproduction. Sexual differences in hedgehogs suggests environmental fine tuning of endogenous cycles, males being ready to inseminate females early in spring, while females only begin full breeding activity when conditions are suitable.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Sep
pubmed:issn
0022-4251
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
84
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
259-72
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1988
pubmed:articleTitle
Seasonal endocrine cycles in the European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, U.K.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't