Abstract
Adrenal and gonad weights were measured in the northern red-backed vole, CLETHRIONOMYS RUTILUS, from July 1963 through August 1964 in the vicinity of College, Alaska. Relative weights of the testes and ovaries underwent a seasonal cycle which was most closely correlated with the annual light cycle. Adrenal size in female voles appeared to be strongly influenced by reproductive state and underwent a striking increase with onset of the breeding season and a corresponding decline with cessation of reproductive activities. In male voles adrenal size was not influenced by reproductive activities. The magnitude of seasonal change in adrenal size of male voles was not great and could not be definitely associated with any extrinsic factors in the environment.
Zusammenfassung
Nebennieren- und Gonadengewichte wurden bei der Wühlmaus CLETHRIONOMYS RUTILUS von Juli 1963 bis August 1964 in der Nähe von College, Alaska,gemessen. Die relativen Gewichte der Hoden und Ovarien unterlagen einem jahreszeitlichen Rhythmus, der sehr eng mit der jahreszeitlichen Strahlungsperiodik korreliert war. Die Grösse der Nebennieren bei weiblichen Wühlmausen schien stark durch die Fortpflanzung beeinflusst zu sein und unterlag einer auffälligen Zunahme mit dem Einsetzen der Jahreszeit der Fortpflanzung und einer entsprechenden Verkleinerung mit dem Aufhören der Fortpflanzungsaktivität. Bei männlichen Wühlmäusen war die Grösse der Nebenniere nicht durch die Fortpflanzungsaktivität beeinflusst. Das Ausmass der jahreszeitlichen Schwankungen der Grösse der Nebenniere bei männlichen Wühlmäusen war nicht gross und konnte nicht endgültig irgend einem äusseren Umweltfaktor zugeordnet werden.
Resume
Dans les environs de College, Alaska, on a pesé les surrénales et les organes sexuels de campagnols CLETHRIONOMYS RUTILUS. Ces pesées ont été effectuées de juillet 1963 à août 1964. Le poids relatif des testicules et des ovaires sont soumis à un cycle périodique qui correspond étroitement à celui de la lumière.La grosseur des surrénales des femelles semble fortement influencée par les phénomènes de reproduction. Ces glandes se développent de façon marquée au début de la saison des amours et redeviennent plus petites dès la fin de la période de reproduction. Chez les mâles, la grosseur de ces glandes n'est pas modifiée par l'activité reproductrice. L'amplitude des variations de la grosseur des surrénales des souris mâles est réduite et il n'est pas possible de mettre ces variations en relation directe avec celles d'un facteur particulier du milieu ambiant.
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Sealander, J.A. Reproductive status and adrenal size in the northern red-backed vole in relation to season. Int J Biometeorol 11, 213–220 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01426850
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01426850