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Testicular activity is restored by melatonin replacement after suprachiasmatic nucleus lesion or superior cervical ganglionectomy in mink
Author(s) -
Maurel Daniel L,
Saad Mohamed Moncef Ben,
Roch Gisèle,
Siaud Philippe
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of pineal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1600-079X
pISSN - 0742-3098
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-079x.2002.10807.x
Subject(s) - ganglionectomy , melatonin , biology , endocrinology , medicine , mink , suprachiasmatic nucleus , stimulation , pineal gland , superior cervical ganglion , cervical ganglia , circadian rhythm , pathology , ecology , alternative medicine
Subcutaneous melatonin implants were inserted in mink subjected to natural (autumn) or experimental gonadostimulatory short‐days (4L:20D), after lesion of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCNx) or after superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGx). Gonad stimulation was assessed by measuring testicular volume and plasma testosterone level. In SCNx and SCGx animals, all measurements were indicative of sexual quiescence. In contrast, both SCNx and SCGx animals with melatonin, maintained in natural or experimental gonadostimulating short‐days, showed an increase in testicular activity 2 months after melatonin implantation. Thus, melatonin (and pineal activity) is a prerequisite for the photoperiodic stimulation of reproductive activity, and the SCN is not necessarily the target site for melatonin action on the renewal of reproduction in the mink.