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Hypothalamic and hormonal control of photoperiodically induced vernal functions in the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii

2. The effects of hypothalamic implantation of testosterone propionate

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Summary

The effects of implantation of testosterone propionate (TP) in various sites in the hypothalamus on the photoperiodically induced vernal premigratory functions in the White-crowned Sparrows were investigated in order to assess the role of the hypothalamo-hypophysial-testicular axis in the induction of these responses.

Implantation of glass capillary tubes containing TP in the basal infundibular nucleus (IN), in the median eminence, or in the pars distalis inhibited the photoperiodically induced increase in plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), as measured by radioimmunoassay, and testicular growth. The effective implants significantly lowered the levels of LH in birds held on nonstimulatory short days. These TP implants apparently inhibited release from the pars distalis of both LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). It is concluded that the site of sensitivity in the negative feedback by testosterone is either the basal IN or the pars distalis, or both. The implants of TP that inhibited the increase in plasma LH and testicular growth completely did not prevent the birds from fattening.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Katsuhiko Yokoyama

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  1. Katsuhiko Yokoyama
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Additional information

These investigations were supported, in part, by research grants from the National Institutes of Health (HD-6527) and National Science Foundation (BMS 79-13933) to Professor Donald S. Farner. This paper is based on a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Washington

The author is grateful to Professor Donald S. Farner for his guidance throughout the course of these investigations. The assistance of Mr. Philip W. Mattocks, Jr. in performing radioimmunoassays is sincerely appreciated

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Yokoyama, K. Hypothalamic and hormonal control of photoperiodically induced vernal functions in the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii . Cell Tissue Res. 176, 91–108 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220346

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220346

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