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Spermatogenesis in sturnus vulgaris: Refractory period and acceleration in relation to wave length and rate of increase of light ration
Author(s) -
Bissonnette Thomas Hume,
Wadlund Arthur Pehr Robert
Publication year - 1931
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1050520204
Subject(s) - biology , zoology , refractory period , spermatogenesis , medicine , endocrinology
Between December 10th and January 24th, using red, green, and white electric lights at equal intensities of about 1.7 foot‐candles, sixty‐nine males, with females, were subjected nightly to, ( a ) constant six‐ and six‐and‐one‐quarter‐hour periods of illumination; ( b ) periods increasing gradually from one‐quarter to six and one‐quarter hours; ( c ) no added light (controls), in a basement room lighted by day from three large windows. Relative heat intensities reaching the birds were: for white, 1; for green, 2.5; for red, 10. Birds were killed for testis study at 5, 12, 16, 22, and 23 days. Refractory period was shorter, and modification of spermatogenic activity much greater, under a than under b types of treatment, as compared with controls. Effects were also more consistent. Descending order of testis activity induced at all stages was red, white, control, green, under both a and b . Effects on testis activity are not proportional to heat intensity of incident light, but depend on wave length, since green effect is not intermediate between those of white and red, as its heat intensity is. Green inhibited germ‐cell activity even in birds already at normal midwinter minimal condition. Constant six‐hour red‐light treatments, of this intensity, induced flrst appearance of metamorphosing sperms in twenty‐three days in midwinter. Apparatus and mode of light regulation and measurement are described.