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Regulation of male prolactin levels in an opportunistically breeding species, the A frican striped mouse
Author(s) -
Raynaud J.,
Schradin C.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/jzo.12040
Subject(s) - photoperiodism , prolactin , biology , reproduction , seasonal breeder , population , ecology , zoology , endocrinology , botany , hormone , demography , sociology
The timing of reproduction of many species depends on seasonal changes in prolactin secretion. Photoperiod coincides with annual seasonal changes and typically regulates prolactin secretion. However, when environmental conditions are unpredictable, other ecological factors may contribute to prolactin regulation. In A frican striped mice ( R habdomys pumilio ), males show seasonal changes in reproduction and in prolactin levels, but unexpected increases of food availability out of the regular breeding season can also induce reproduction. We measured prolactin levels in free‐ranging male A frican striped mice during three periods: (1) the natural breeding in spring with increasing photoperiod; (2) the natural non‐breeding season in summer (dry season) with decreasing photoperiod; and (3) during two summers with unexpected rainfall inducing breeding in the population. Here, we report that breeding males showed increased prolactin levels when they were breeding independently of increases and decreases in day length. Also, we found a positive correlation ( P = 0.05) between the availability of food plants and prolactin levels. Changes in prolactin levels in opportunistically breeding species like the A frican striped mouse are not strictly regulated by photoperiod, but seem to respond to cues from food availability.