Effects of photoperiod on salsolinol‐induced prolactin secretion in goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the relation between salsolinol (SAL)‐induced prolactin (PRL) release and photoperiod in goats. A single intravenous (i.v.) injection of SAL was given to adult female goats under short (8 h light, 16 h dark) or long (16 h light, 8 h dark) photoperiod conditions at two different ambient temperatures (20°C or 5°C), and the PRL‐releasing response to SAL was compared to that of thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) or a dopamine (DA) receptor antagonist, sulpiride. SAL, as well as TRH or sulpiride, stimulated the release of PRL promptly after each injection in both 8‐ and 16‐h daily photoperiods at 20°C (P < 0.05). The area under the response curve (AUC) of PRL for the 60‐min period after injections of saline (controls), SAL, TRH and sulpiride in the 16‐h daily photoperiod group was greater than each corresponding value in the 8‐h daily photoperiod group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the AUC of PRL among the values produced after the injection of SAL, TRH and sulpiride in 16‐h daily photoperiod group; however, the values produced after the injection of TRH were smallest among the three in the 8‐h daily photoperiod group (P < 0.05). The PRL‐releasing responses to SAL, TRH and sulpiride under a short and long photoperiod condition at 5°C resembled those at 20°C. These results show that a long photoperiod highly enhances the PRL‐releasing response to SAL as well as TRH or sulpiride in either medium or low ambient temperature in goats.     

放牧条件下绒山羊绒毛季节性生长变化规律的研究

本试验研究放牧条件下绒山羊绒毛季节性生长变化的规律。选择体重及产绒性能相近的2.5岁内蒙古白绒山羊羯羊10只,随机均分为2组,分别接受自然光照和短光照处理,短光照组每天的光照时间比自然光照组减少2小时,两组试羊在同一草场放牧。结果表明,放牧条件下,随牧草营养值下降(CP含量13.9%～6.0%)和光照递减(14.6～9.4h/d),绒毛生长呈慢—快—慢增长模式,主要的生长期在9月下旬～12月上旬,11月份为高峰期;减少光照可刺激绒毛生长,使快速生长的时间提前至8月下旬,绒毛长度增加10.9%,但生长模式不变。绒毛细度(14.6～14.9μm)和强度(6.9～5.9g)不受季节影响,但绒毛伸度下降54.3%;减少光照不改变绒毛强度和伸度,但绒毛细度增加5.6%、产绒量提高12.5%。     

Effects of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone in adult male goats

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of photoperiod on secretory patterns of growth hormone (GH) in male goats. Adult male goats were kept at 20°C with an 8‐h or 16‐h light photoperiod, and secretory patterns of GH secretion were compared. In addition, plasma profiles of prolactin (PRL), insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and testosterone (T) were also examined to characterize GH secretion. GH was secreted in a pulsatile manner. There was no significant difference in pulse frequency between the 8‐h and 16‐h photoperiods. However, GH pulse amplitude tended to be greater in the group with the 16‐h photoperiod (P = 0.1), and mean GH concentrations were significantly greater in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). The GH‐releasing response to GH releasing hormone was greater in the 16‐h than 8‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). Plasma PRL and IGF‐I levels were higher in the 16‐h than 8‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). In contrast, plasma T levels were lower in the 16‐h photoperiod (P < 0.05). These results show that a long light photoperiod enhances the secretion of GH as well as PRL and IGF‐I, but reduces plasma T concentrations in male goats.     

Physiology and Regulation of Seasonal Nitrogen Cycling in Woody Plants

Summary

Seasonal nitrogen cycling in trees is a mechanism for conserving and reusing nitrogen that may contribute to nitrogen use efficiency. In this review the physiological and molecular regulation of seasonal nitrogen storage is examined. Research using the 32 kDa bark storage protein gene, bspA of poplar (Populus) as a model system has revealed important facets regulating gene expression and subsequent nitrogen storage. Recent progress has demonstrated that bspA expression is a photoperiod response mediated by phytochrome and secondary messengers including Ca²⁺ and protein phosphorylation are involved in signaling pathways. Furthermore, evidence indicates that photoperiod modulated expression likely involves metabolic signaling mediated by glutamine and sucrose. A model is proposed that integrates the various facets of poplar bspa expression.     

Effect of photoperiod on development and reproduction of Megacopta cribraria(Hemiptera:Plataspidae)

Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) continually outbreaks due to suitable photoperiod in recent years. Effect of photoperiod on growth, development and reproduction of M. cribraria were assessed in this study. Results indicated that developmental duration, nutrient accumulation efficiency, and adult fecundity of M. cribraria were significantly different under 6 photoperiodical conditions. Developmental duration of nymph stage gradually tended to be shorter as day time increase. Body weights of 5th instar nymphs for 16 h and 4 h day time photoperiods were 5.2 mg and 4.6 mg, respectively. Moreover, longevity of adults tended to be longer as day time increase. However, for the short day photoperiod (4 L:20 D and 8 L:16 D), population showed no reproductive behaviors. Index of population trend increased with photoperiod extension and adults showed stronger reproductive capacity and longer longevity. This research identified the favorable photoperiodical conditions before outbreak. It may provided reference for ecological adaptability of M. cribraria, and contribute to the scientific basis for forecasting and controlling of M. cribraria.     

光照对马岗鹅季节性繁殖活动和内分泌的调控

研究了光照对马岗鹅季节性繁殖活动和内分泌的调控。在整个试验期（2004.01.13-12.18）对照组接受自然光照,处理组接受人工控制的长短光照处理。在非繁殖期（4-7月份）,对照组公母鹅血浆PRL浓度升高,LH浓度和公鹅睾酮水平降低,鹅换羽;在繁殖期（8-3月份）,公母鹅血浆PRL水平下降,LH浓度和公鹅睾酮水平则上升。在处理组,延长光照均使公母鹅PRL浓度升高,LH浓度和公鹅睾酮水平降低,鹅群进入休产期并换羽;缩短光照则降低PRL水平,促进LH分泌和公鹅睾酮水平上升,鹅群进入繁殖期。整个试验阶段,两组中公鹅甲状腺素T3水平均无明显季节性变化,处理组和对照组母鹅平均产蛋48.8和26.3枚,前者比后者高85.6%。试验结果表明,长光照抑制,短光照促进马岗鹅繁殖活动,光照通过调节PRL和LH的分泌调控马岗鹅繁殖活动的季节性变化。     

Effect of environmental factors and changes in the body condition score on the onset of the breeding season in mares

Several methods have been proposed to advance the onset of the breeding season in horses. Most of them are based on the exposure to an artificial lighting period combined with hormonal treatments. Mares exposed to an artificial photoperiod are most often housed indoors where the ambient temperature is often higher than the outside temperature. Mares held in barns are also exposed to different daylight intensities than horses kept outside, depending on the architecture. In the current study, we evaluated the impact of ambient temperature, daylight intensity and changes in body condition score (BCS) on the timing of first ovulation after winter anestrus in mares exposed to an artificial photoperiod. Mares (n = 211) were housed in barns with different ambient temperature and daylight exposure but with the same artificial photoperiod exposure (except for a natural photoperiod control group). Artificial photoperiod as well as an increase in BCS over the winter significantly advanced the first spring ovulation. The BCS at the start and end of the anestrus period did not have an effect on the interval to first ovulation and neither did the modest increase in ambient temperature in the barn. However, a higher light intensity during the daytime significantly advanced the first spring ovulation. The results of this study suggest that exposure to more sunlight advances the onset of the breeding season. This effect is likely mediated through the biological effect of short wavelength blue light and its impact on melatonin suppression and biological rhythms. We suggest that greater/direct exposure to the blue light component of daylight improves the response to the artificial photoperiod. The results of the present study can further assist to optimize the conditions that lead to an efficient spring transition of breeding mares.     

Conditioning alleviates reduced yield of smaller plugs of ‘Albion’ strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duch.) in off-season plasticulture production

The influences of plug size, planting density, and mulch colour on responses to photoperiod and nitrogen conditioning of ‘Albion’ strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) plants were evaluated in off-season field production in New Jersey, USA. Three different sized plug plants (7.6 cm square pots, 24-cell plug trays, or 50-cell plug trays) were conditioned with natural days (ND, natural daylength) or long days (LD, natural daylength supplemented with 24 h incandescent radiation) for one week followed by ND plus 100 ppm nitrogen (N) for 4 weeks or LD plus 800 ppm N for 4 weeks. Plants were then established in plasticulture on black, white, or silver mulch. In a second experiment, plug plants (439 cm³) were conditioned with LD and nitrogen then established in plasticulture on black, white, or silver mulch at 3 planting densities (0.46, 0.23, and 0.16 m²?plant^?1 (2, 4, and 6 plants?m^?2)). Fruit were harvested from August through October in both experiments. Conditioning enhanced off-season fall production. White plastic enhanced survival, productivity, and fruit size and larger plugs were more productive than smaller ones. If smaller plugs are desired, conditioning prevents the reduction in yield observed with non-conditioned smaller plugs.     

Production and testing of plants regenerated from protoplasts of photoperiod sensitive genic male sterile rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Plants were regenerated from protoplasts isolated from embryonic suspension cultures of N5047S, a photoperiod sensitive genic male sterile (PGMS) Japonica rice line. Flow cytometric analyses of nuclear DNA content identified some tetraploid regenerates whose agronomic traits could be distinguished from diploid regenerates. Pollen and female fertility of diploid protoplast-derived clones grown under different light and temperature conditions was compared. A promising PGMS protoplast clone, ZAU11S, was developed from these clones. Its male sterility was confirmed as a photoperiod × temperature interaction type. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.