Photoperiod-induced testicular apoptosis in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

73Citations
Citations of this article
30Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

To determine the extent to which testicular regression involves apoptotic cell death, photosensitive adult starlings were photostimulated for up to 9 wk by exposure to long-day (18 h of light) photoperiods. Apoptotic activity in recrudescing and regressing testes was assessed by in situ TUNEL labeling. Absolute testis mass in male starlings increased after 2 wk of photostimulation and subsequently decreased with continued long-day exposure. Seminiferous tubule diameter also increased after 1-3 wk of photostimulation, then decreased as photorefractoriness developed. Testosterone concentrations increased significantly by Week 2 of photostimulation and declined with further light exposure. TUNEL labeling was significantly elevated in germ cells with 4 wk of photostimulation. An approximate 7-fold increase in the degree of apoptotic cell death was observed over the course of gonadal regression. Incidences of TUNEL labeling in somatic Sertoli cells also increased. Light and electron microscopy examination confirmed that these somatic cells displayed morphological characteristics of apoptotic death. In rodents, Sertoli cells have not been previously reported to die during gonadal regression. These results suggest that seasonal testicular regression in European starlings is mediated by apoptosis.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Young, K. A., Ball, G. F., & Nelson, R. J. (2001). Photoperiod-induced testicular apoptosis in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). In Biology of Reproduction (Vol. 64, pp. 706–713). Society for the Study of Reproduction. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod64.2.706

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free