Pinealectomy delays puberty in ewe lambs.

Fifteen pinealectomized and 15 unoperated ewes were exposed to constant light for 3 weeks before and 10 weeks after lambing. Fourteen pinealectomized and 15 unoperated ewes were allowed to lamb outdoors. Five ewe lambs born in constant light to the 2 groups of dams were pinealectomized at 10 weeks of age. Ewes and lambs were then returned to the field. Puberty (determined by weekly progesterone analysis) was significantly delayed (P less than 0.05) in the pinealectomized ewe lambs. Median pubertal age in pineal-intact ewe lambs was 37 weeks compared to 49 weeks in pinealectomized lambs. Constant light during the first 10 weeks of life had no effect upon puberty onset nor did the pineal status of the dam. Control lambs entered seasonal anoestrus at the time pinealectomized ewe lambs were entering puberty. Pinealectomized lambs entered anoestrus at the same time as control lambs were beginning their second breeding season. These results confirm a key role of pineal-mediated hormonal signals in the control of puberty in the sheep.