Development of collared lemmings, Dicrostonyx groenlandicus, is influenced by pre‐ and postweaning photoperiods

• Published in: Journal of Experimental Zoology
• Main Authors: Nagy, Tim R., Gower, Barbara A., Stetson, Milton H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1993
• Subjects: Dicrostonyx groenlandicus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jez.1402670508; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjez.1402670508; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jez.1402670508

Abstract We examined the role of pre‐ and postweaning photoperiod on postweaning development of collared lemmings. Lemmings were gestated and reared to weaning (19 days of age) in one of three photoperiods: 22L:2D (22 hr of light:2 hr of dark), 16L:8D, and 8L:16D. At weaning, lemmings were either maintained in their natal photoperiod or transferred to one of the other two photoperiods. At the termination of the experiment (10 weeks postweaning) data were collected on somatic characters (body weight, bifid claw width, pelage stage, and guard hair length), serum prolactin (PRL), and reproductive parameters (testes, seminal vesicle, and uterine weights). Somatic characters were predominately influenced by postweaning photoperiod, when that photoperiod was either long (22L:2D) or short (8L:16D). When lemmings were exposed to an intermediate postweaning photoperiod (16L:8D), development of somatic characters was significantly influenced by the preweaning photoperiod; animals reared in 8L:16D regarded 16L:8D as a long day, whereas those reared in 22L:2D regarded 16L:8D as a short day. Serum PRL responded to photoperiod changes, often reflecting either the increase or decrease in day length, rather than simply the absolute number of light hours per day. Whereas reproductive indices in both sexes were stimulated by transfer from short to long photoperiod, chronic exposure to long photoperiod inhibited male development. No other photoperiod manipulations significantly influenced reproductive parameters. These observations suggest that, in the collared lemming, the neural and/or humoral factors regulating somatic and reproductive characters differ in their response to photoperiod. These results also suggest that the postweaning responses to photoperiod are programmed by earlier (gestational and/or neonatal) photoperiod exposure of the mother and/or the neonates. © 1993 wiley‐Liss, Inc.