Modulation of gonadotrophin and prolacrin secretion by daylength and breeding behaviour in free‐living starlings, Sturnus vulgaris
Open Access
- 1 June 1985
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Zoology
- Vol. 206 (2), 241-252
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1985.tb05648.x
Abstract
Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma samples collected from free‐living starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, trapped in nest‐boxes. By leaving some nest‐boxes undisturbed, and repeatedly destroying nests in others, birds from a single‐brooded population were trapped whilst nest‐building, incubating or feeding nestlings, at different times throughout the normal breeding season. In both males and females trapped whilst nest‐building, plasma LH and prolactin levels increased progressively from mid March until late May. In females sampled during incubation, LH and FSH levels were high throughout May but decreased in early June. Prolactin levels were highest in late May. In both males and females trapped during mid May, LH levels were highest in these birds which were nest‐building at this time and lowest in those feeding nestlings, FSH did not change significantly, and prolactin was low in those birds which were nest‐building and high in those incubating or feeding nestlings. In female starlings from a double‐brooded population, levels of LH and FSH were much lower whilst feeding the second brood than when feeding the first brood, whereas prolactin levels were similar. The results suggest that incubation and feeding behaviour inhibit the increase in LH secretion caused by increasing daylength, but stimulate prolactin secretion in excess of that caused by increasing daylength.Keywords
This publication has 29 references indexed in Scilit:
- Inverse changes in plasma prolactin and LH concentrations in female canaries after disruption and reinitiation of incubationJournal of Endocrinology, 1984
- Thyroidectomy prevents the development of photorefractoriness and the associated rise in plasma prolactin in starlingsGeneral and Comparative Endocrinology, 1984
- Prolactin is associated with the development of photorefractoriness in intact, castrated, and testosterone-implanted starlingsGeneral and Comparative Endocrinology, 1984
- Effects of gonadectomy on seasonal changes in plasma LH and prolactin concentrations in male and female starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)Journal of Endocrinology, 1984
- Effects of p-Chlorophenylalanine on the Rise in Serum Prolactin Associated with Nesting in Broody TurkeysBiology of Reproduction, 1980
- Endocrine changes associated with spring and autumn sexuality of the Rook, Corvus frugilegusJournal of Zoology, 1980
- Plasma luteinizing hormone during the breeding cycle of the female ring doveHormones and Behavior, 1976
- On the initiation of incubation behaviour in dovesAnimal Behaviour, 1963
- Prolactin or progesterone as key to parental behaviour: A reviewAnimal Behaviour, 1963
- THE BREEDING OF THE STARLING STURNUS VULGARIS IN RELATION TO ITS FOOD SUPPLYIbis, 1955