Central effects of photoperiod on reproduction in the ram revealed by the use of a testosterone clamp

Abstract

ABSTRACT Over a 3-year period eight adult Soay rams were exposed to an artificial lighting regimen of alternating 16-week periods of long days (16 h light:8 h darkness; 16L:8D) and short days (8L:16D) to induce a seasonal cycle in reproduction and wool growth every 32 weeks. Early in the study the rams were castrated (four during long days and four during short days) and 48 weeks later the castrated animals were each given an s.c. implant of testosterone to increase the blood plasma concentration of testosterone to 14–20 nmol/l. The changes in the concentrations of LH, FSH and testosterone were measured in blood samples collected once or twice weekly while records were made of the changes in the size of the testes (before castration), the intensity of the sexual skin flush, the expression of aggressive and sexual behaviour and the rate of wool growth. The results showed that in the castrated rams there were only minor changes in the blood levels of LH, FSH and the expression of aggressive behaviour related to the 32-week light cycle, while the sexual skin flush was permanently absent. However, after the commencement of the constant testosterone therapy, there were major changes in all the reproductive parameters related to the lighting regimen with a similar temporal relationship as observed in the rams before castration. Cyclic variation in wool growth occurred throughout the study related to the changes in photoperiod but this was not markedly affected by castration and testosterone replacement. The conclusion is that photoperiod acts centrally within the brain to dictate the cyclic changes in reproduction and wool growth in the ram, but testosterone is required for the full expression of the effects on reproduction. In the normal seasonal sexual cycle, photoperiod affects both the secretion of testosterone and the responsiveness to testosterone, resulting in a peak of sexuality in autumn. J. Endocr. (1984) 103, 233–241