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Short Day Lengths Enhance Skin Immune Responses in Gonadectomised Siberian Hamsters
Author(s) -
Prendergast B. J.,
Bilbo S. D.,
Nelson R. J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1365-2826
pISSN - 0953-8194
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2005.01273.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , immune system , photoperiodism , testosterone (patch) , hormone , hamster , biology , secretion , immunology
In Siberian hamsters and other photoperiodic rodents, exposure to short photoperiods simultaneously inhibits gonadal hormone secretion and enhances some measures of immune function. The present study tested whether gonadal hormones mediate the effects of short days on skin immune function (delayed‐type hypersensitivity reactions) in male Siberian hamsters. The magnitude of delayed‐type hypersensitivity reactions was greater in hamsters exposed to short days relative to those in long days. Comparable effects of photoperiod were obtained in castrated hamsters bearing empty or testosterone‐filled implants. The data suggest that contemporary gonadal hormone secretion is neither necessary, nor sufficient to mediate the effects of short photoperiods on skin immune function.