Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1984-6-27
pubmed:abstractText
The Djungarian hamster exhibits an agouti pelage in the summer and a predominantly white pelage in the winter. This pelage color cycle is known to be regulated by the length of the daily photoperiod probably acting through the pineal gland, as is the seasonal cycle of reproductive function with which it is closely correlated ( Figala et al., '73; Hoffmann, ' 78b ). The possibility of a causal relationship between the decline in gonadal hormone secretion and the coat color change occurring in short photoperiod was examined. Gonadectomized and intact male and female hamsters were exposed to either long (16L:8D) or short ( 10L : 14D ) photoperiod for several months. Gonadectomy neither induced the change to the winter pelage color in long photoperiod-housed animals, nor prevented either the change to the winter pelage or the spontaneous return to summer pelage color in short photoperiod-housed animals. Chronic implants of testosterone in castrated males delayed and attenuated the short photoperiod-induced coat color change. Administration of ovine prolactin (100 micrograms/day) stimulated pigmentation in hamsters with the winter pelage, whereas administration of a alpha MSH (30 micrograms/day) was without effect. These results suggest that changes in pelage color may be regulated largely by changes in pituitary prolactin secretion and modified to some extent by changes in gonadal steroid hormone secretion.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Apr
pubmed:issn
0022-104X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
230
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
89-95
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1984
pubmed:articleTitle
Hormonal regulation of the annual pelage color cycle in the Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus. I. Role of the gonads and pituitary.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.