Short-day melatonin pattern advances puberty in seasonally breeding rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Wilson, M. Edward; Gordon, Thomas P.

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0860435

Cited by 32 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This has been achieved in larger species, such as ruminants and primates, where it is possible to take serial, repeated samples of serum from individual animals (Bittman, 1984;Karsch et al 1984;Wilson & Gordon, 1989). Such studies have revealed a direct relationship between the duration of the circulating endogenous melatonin signal and the duration of darkness, adding weight to the conclusion drawn from infusion studies that duration is the prin¬ cipal photoperiodic stimulus.…”

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confidence: 99%

Circadian and daily rhythms of melatonin in the blood and pineal gland of free-running and entrained Syrian hamsters

Maywood

Hastings²,

Max³

et al. 1993

Journal of Endocrinology

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The aim of this study was to develop a radioimmunoassay for the measurement of endogenous circulating melatonin concentrations in the Syrian hamster, and then to determine the effect of various photic manipulations upon this endocrine signal. In experiment 1, pineal-intact or pinealectomized adult male Syrian hamsters, housed under a long photoperiod (LD; 16 h light:8 h darkness) for 2 weeks, were then either maintained on LD or transferred to a short photoperiod (SD; 8 h light:16 h darkness) for a further 8 weeks. The profile of serum melatonin concentrations was determined from blood samples taken by cardiac puncture at intervals over a 24-h period. Radioimmunoassay revealed that daytime concentrations were at or below the limit of sensitivity of the assay (< or = 50 pmol/l). Under both photoperiods, the concentration of melatonin in the serum of pineal-intact animals rose 4-5 h after the onset of darkness, and the peak amplitude of the melatonin rhythm was not significantly different between the SD- or LD-housed animals (200-250 pmol/l). Premature exposure of animals to light during the dark phase of LD caused a precipitous decline in circulating concentrations to daytime values within 15 min and they remained there for several hours. In animals which experienced an uninterrupted night on either LD or SD, the most striking difference in the rhythm of endogenous melatonin secretion was the duration. Animals housed under LD had high levels until the start of the light period, a peak duration of 3.7 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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confidence: 99%

Circadian and daily rhythms of melatonin in the blood and pineal gland of free-running and entrained Syrian hamsters

Maywood

Hastings²,

Max³

et al. 1993

Journal of Endocrinology

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“…Rhesus macaques are seasonal breeders, with ovarian function occurring from late September until March each year, though menarche can occur year round (Wilson et al, 1986; Wilson and Gordon, 1989; Wilson et al, 2013). Vaginal bleeding was assessed and blood was collected at least three times a week from August until March or 45 days after the last menstruation, whichever occurred later, beginning at 14–17 months of age (subjects were born from March to June).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neonatal amygdala lesions advance pubertal timing in female rhesus macaques

Stephens

Raper

Bachevalier

et al. 2015

Psychoneuroendocrinology

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Summary Social context influences the timing of puberty in both humans and nonhuman primates, such as delayed first ovulation in low-ranking rhesus macaques, but the brain region(s) mediating the effects of social context on pubertal timing are unknown. The amygdala is important for responding to social information and thus, is a potential brain region mediating the effects of social context on pubertal timing. In this study, female rhesus macaques living in large, species-typical, social groups received bilateral neurotoxic amygdala lesions at one month of age and pubertal timing was examined beginning at 14 months of age. Pubertal timing was affected in neonatal amygdala-lesioned females (Neo-A), such that they experienced significantly earlier menarche and first ovulation than did control females (Neo-C). Duration between menarche and first ovulation did not differ between Neo-A and Neo-C females, indicating earlier first ovulation in Neo-A females was likely a consequence of earlier menarche. Social rank of Neo-A females was related to age at menarche, but not first ovulation, and social rank was not related to either event in Neo-C females. It is more likely that amygdalectomy affects pubertal timing through its modulation of GABA-ergic mechanisms rather than as a result of the removal of a social-contextual inhibition on pubertal timing.

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“…In contrast to menarche, first ovulation in spring-born, outdoor-housed female rhesus macaques was restricted to the fall months when females were either 2.5 or 3.5 years of age (Wilson et al, 1986; Wilson et al, 2013; Wilson & Gordon, 1989a; Zehr et al, 2005). Ovulation was not observed in the nonbreeding season (February or March to September) (Wilson et al, 1986; Wilson et al 2013).…”

Section: Seasonal Influences On Puberty Onsetmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ovulation was not observed in the nonbreeding season (February or March to September) (Wilson et al, 1986; Wilson et al 2013). Similarly to spring-born females, females born in the fall or winter first ovulated in the fall/winter months and were more likely to reach first ovulation around 3 years of age as opposed to 4 years of age (Wilson & Gordon, 1989a). First birth was limited to the spring and summer months regardless of which season females were born, further demonstrating that first ovulation was restricted to the fall and winter months regardless of chronological age (Wilson et al, 1984).…”

Section: Seasonal Influences On Puberty Onsetmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental and social influences on neuroendocrine puberty and behavior in macaques and other nonhuman primates

Stephens

Wallen

2013

Hormones and Behavior

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Puberty is the developmental period when the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is activated, following a juvenile quiescent period, and reproductive capacity matures. Although pubertal events occur in a consistent sequence, there is considerable variation between individuals in the onset and timing of pubertal events, with puberty onset occurring earlier in girls than in boys. Evidence in humans demonstrates that social and environmental context influences the timing of puberty onset and may account for some of the observed variation. This review analyzes the nonhuman primate literature, focusing primarily on rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), to examine the social and environmental influences on puberty onset, how these factors influence puberty in males and females, and to review the relationship between puberty onset of adult neuroendocrine function and sexual behavior. Social and environmental factors influence the timing of puberty onset and pubertal events in nonhuman primates, as in humans, and the influences of these factors differ for males and females. In nonhuman primates, gonadal hormones are not required for sexual behavior, but modulate the frequency of occurrence of behavior, with social context influencing the relationship between gonadal hormones and sexual behavior. Thus, the onset of sexual behavior is independent of neuroendocrine changes at puberty; however, there are distinct behavioral changes that occur at puberty, which are modulated by social context. Puberty is possibly the developmental period when hormonal modulation of sexual behavior is organized, and thus, when social context interacts with hormonal state to strongly influence the expression of sexual behavior.

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Short-day melatonin pattern advances puberty in seasonally breeding rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

Cited by 32 publications

References 33 publications

Circadian and daily rhythms of melatonin in the blood and pineal gland of free-running and entrained Syrian hamsters

Circadian and daily rhythms of melatonin in the blood and pineal gland of free-running and entrained Syrian hamsters

Neonatal amygdala lesions advance pubertal timing in female rhesus macaques

Environmental and social influences on neuroendocrine puberty and behavior in macaques and other nonhuman primates

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