Assessment of the role of follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin in the control of testicular endocrine function in adult djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) exposed to either short or long photoperiod.

Exposure of adult male Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) to a short photoperiod induces testicular atrophy. To evaluate the role of FSH and prolactin (PRL) in the control of testicular endocrine function, adult Djungarian hamsters were exposed to either a long photoperiod (16L:8D per day) or a short photoperiod (6L:18D per day) for 11 wk. After 11 wk, hamsters housed in each of these photoperiods were placed into three groups and treated s.c. daily for 7 days with 50% polyvinylpyrrolidone in saline (SAL-PVP), rat FSH (10 micrograms/hamster/day) in SAL-PVP, or ovine PRL (100 micrograms/hamster/day) in SAL-PVP. On Day 8, animals in each of these groups received i.p. injections of saline or ovine LH (0.3 microgram/g BW); 1 h later, blood was obtained by cardiac puncture under ether anesthesia. Plasma FSH, LH, PRL, androstenedione (A-dione), and testosterone levels were measured by validated RIAs. In hamsters kept in the short photoperiod, testicular weight was decreased (p < 0.001). In these animals, FSH treatment increased (p < 0.001) testicular weight, whereas PRL injections had no effect. Testicular weight in animals kept in the long photoperiod was unaffected by FSH or PRL treatment. After 12 wk of exposure to the short photo-period, circulating PRL levels were undetectable; plasma levels of FSH (p < 0.001), LH (p < 0.05), A-dione (p < 0.005), and testosterone (p < 0.001) were significantly reduced. Administration of either FSH or PRL had no influence on plasma A-dione levels in hamsters exposed to either photoperiod.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)