Temporal synergism of corticosterone and prolactin controlling gonadal growth in sparrows.

Gonadal growth was controlled in two avian species by corticosterone and prolactin injected daily at various times. Testicular growth was induced in photorefractory house sparrows (Passer domesticus) kept in continuous light by prolactin injected 4 or 8 hours after administration of corticosterone. Other temporal patterns were ineffective. Gonadal growth was also stimulated in photosensitive white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) kept in continuous light by prolactin injected 12 hours after administration of corticosterone. Daily injections of prolactin 8 hours after injection of corticosterone inhibited gonadal growth. The seasonal cycle of reproductive photorefractoriness and photosensitivity is controlled by a changing relation between the daily rhythms of plasma concentrations of corticosterone and prolactin.