Endogenous circannual rhythms and photorefractoriness of testis activity, moult and prolactin concentrations in mink (Mustela vison)

Abstract

Mink are seasonal photosensitive breeders; testis activity is triggered when days have less than 10h light. Increasing and decreasing plasma concentrations of prolactin induce the spring and autumn moults. In a 5 year experiment, males were maintained under short days (8 h light: 16 h dark) at 13°C or long days (16 h light:8 h dark) at 21°C, winter and summer conditions, respectively. Under winter and summer conditions, circannual cycles of prolactin secretion and moulting were observed at intervals of about 11 months. Recurrence of testis cycles was not evident. In a second experiment, males were maintained under an 8 h light:16 h dark cycle from the winter solstice or under 10 h light:14 h dark, 12 h light:12 h dark or 14 h light:10 h dark cycles from 10 February. Under 8 h light:16 h dark cycle, testis regression was slightly later than under natural conditions, indicating photorefractoriness. However, mink remained sensitive to light: the longer the photoperiod, the faster the testis regression. In a third experiment, males were transferred under 8 h light: 16 h dark or 16 h light:8 h dark from 15 May (group 1), 12 June (group 2) or 4 July (group 3); males submitted to long days received melatonin capsules on the day of transfer. Increasing concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and testis volume were shown by half the males in group 2 and nearly all the males in group 3; the constant release of melatonin from implants was more efficient than short days; but in the three groups, prolactin concentrations decreased in the few days after short-day or melatonin treatment. Overall, the results demonstrate endogenous circannual rhythms of prolactin secretion, body weight and moulting. Although a refractory period to short days was observed, the annual cycle of testis activity totally relies on the annual changes in daylength.