Pinealectomy, melatonin, and courtship behavior in male red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis)

The Journal of Experimental Zoology
M T MendonçaD Crews

Abstract

Activation of courtship behavior in male red-sided garter snakes is independent of androgens. Only exposure to extended periods of low temperature with subsequent warming stimulates courtship in males. The pineal gland is thought to transduce temperature as well as photoperiodic information in reptiles. Therefore, we explored the relationship of the pineal and melatonin to sexual behavior in this species. Pinealectomy of male garter snakes disrupted sexual behavior upon emergence from a 17-week period of low temperature in approximately 60% of treated individuals in each of the 3 years of study. However, 40% of the males were unaffected by the pinealectomy, engaging in vigorous courtship. Administration of exogenous, chronic melatonin did not significantly modulate the effect of pinealectomy. Upon pinealectomy in the autumn (before hibernation), plasma levels of melatonin fell. However, upon emergence from hibernation, melatonin levels in pinealectomized (PINX) and sham-treated (SHAM) animals were equivalent, indicating extrapineal source(s) of melatonin. However, PINX males did not exhibit a diel cycle in melatonin levels upon emergence. Instead, melatonin remained elevated through the subsequent 24-hr period. SHAMs did exhibi...Continue Reading

References

Sep 1, 1979·General and Comparative Endocrinology·J P Thapliyal, C Misra nee Haldar
Mar 1, 1992·Physiology & Behavior·R Refinetti, M Menaker
May 1, 1991·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·D Crews
Jan 1, 1990·Journal of Reproduction and Fertility·M ForsbergE J Einarsson
Nov 1, 1990·Biology of Reproduction·P D Heideman, F H Bronson
Nov 1, 1989·General and Comparative Endocrinology·C Haldar, R Pandey
Feb 1, 1988·Journal of Animal Science·S L WallerG E Moss
Sep 2, 1988·Science·M R Ralph, M Menaker
Jan 1, 1987·Physiology & Behavior·R J NelsonD Crews
Jul 1, 1985·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·H Underwood
Aug 1, 1985·Physiology & Behavior·H Underwood, M Harless
Dec 1, 1984·The Journal of Experimental Zoology·V M Cassone, M Menaker
Oct 1, 1984·General and Comparative Endocrinology·H UnderwoodK Mosher
Oct 1, 1983·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·M Menaker, S Wisner
Mar 1, 1984·Hormones and Behavior·D CrewsW R Garstka
Jun 1, 1981·Physiology & Behavior·D J Erskine, V H Hutchison
Dec 1, 1981·The American Journal of Anatomy·R J Reiter
Dec 1, 1993·General and Comparative Endocrinology·A R Tilden, V H Hutchinson

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 10, 2007·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Matthew J PaulWilliam J Schwartz
Oct 22, 2008·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Deborah I Lutterschmidt, Robert T Mason
Jul 8, 2008·Progress in Neurobiology·Zachary M WeilRandy J Nelson
Aug 22, 2012·Brain, Behavior and Evolution·Deborah I Lutterschmidt, Walter Wilczynski
Jun 17, 2011·Standards in Genomic Sciences·Todd A CastoeWesley C Warren
Sep 15, 2009·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Deborah I Lutterschmidt, Robert T Mason

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.