Season determines timing of first ovulation in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) housed outdoors

Abstract

In order to determine the relative importance of age and season on the occurrence of first ovulation in rhesus monkeys, the timing of puberty in spring-born females (Group S, N = 13) was compared to that of fall (N = 3) and winter-born (N = 5) females (Group W). All females were housed outdoors and were studied from 12 months of age through first ovulation. Menarche occurred at a similar age but significantly earlier in the year for Group W (31.2 ± 0.7 months; 25 August ± 19.5 days) than for Group S females (31.2 ± 0.7 months; 14 November ± 17.1 days). First ovulation, as assessed from twice weekly serum progesterone determinations, occurred exclusively in the fall or winter in a bimodal age distribution for all females. For Group W females, 6/8 ovulated during the 3rd year at 35.8 ± 0.7 months while 2/8 ovulated during the 4th year at 45.3 ± 0.1 months. In contrast, only 3/13 Group S females ovulated during the 3rd year and at a significantly younger age of 31.4 ± 0.4 months compared to Group W. The remaining Group S females (10/13) ovulated the following autumn at 43.2 ± 0.2 months, significantly younger than the later ovulating Group W females. In addition to this pattern of first ovulation, serum concentrations of prolactin varied seasonally, rather than with age, in both groups of females with higher levels in the summer and low levels in the winter. These results suggest that exposure to an outdoor environment restricts the occurrence of first ovulation to the fall or winter in female rhesus monkeys, regardless of season of birth, such that seasonal cues may override the endogenous control of puberty onset. If females enter the months of autumn at a more advanced developmental age relative to menarche, they are more likely to exhibit first ovulation.