Roles of melatonin and prolactin in testicular crudescence in mink (Mustela vison)

Abstract

Peripubertal male mink (Mustela vison) were treated with prolactin, melatonin or antibodies against melatonin to determine the effects of altered circulating concentrations of prolactin and melatonin throughout one season of testicular development. Treatment began on 1 October and continued until 4 March. Administration of 0.5 mg ovine prolactin day-1 by minipump increased the circulating concentration of prolactin for the duration of the study and increased serum concentrations of LH. This treatment had no effect on the testosterone concentration or on testis size. Neither chronic treatment with melatonin throughout the period of crudescence nor passive immunization against melatonin for 79 days affected the circulating concentrations of prolactin, LH, testosterone or testis size. These results show clearly that, unlike in other seasonally breeding species, prolactin does not play a significant role in testis growth in the mink. Administration of melatonin to male mink in October did not affect testis growth, presumably because the melatonin signal that cues photoperiodic events had already been received. Administration of antibodies against melatonin did not affect any of the features measured, suggesting that melatonin may have neural but not peripheral effects. Further support for this view can be found in the absence of an influence of melatonin on testis growth or on the plasma concentration of testosterone.