Effect of the presence of females on the pituitary-testicular activity in male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

doi:10.1016/0016-6480(84)90115-1

General and Comparative Endocrinology

Volume 55, Issue 2, August 1984, Pages 295-305

https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-6480(84)90115-1 Get rights and content

Abstract

Five experiments were carried out to study the role of the presence of a female on the reproductive endocrinology of male Japanese quail. In the first three experiments, exposure of an adult male raised in long days to a female for 10 min or 1 week failed to increase plasma testosterone and LH levels; in fact a significant transitory decrease in plasma testosterone was observed, associated with a preceding increase in plasma corticosterone. These changes are interpreted as a result of the stress caused by repeated bleeding or by the continuous presence of a female in a limited space. In the last two experiments, an increase in the maturation rate of immature males could be observed in birds maintained in the continuous presence of females by comparison with birds kept in isolation. The paired males had larger cloacal glands and testes and higher plasma levels of testosterone and LH than the isolated ones. This effect of the female was observed in long days (16L:8D) as well as in marginally stimulating short days (12L:12D).

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Reproductive behavior refers to the orderly sequence of behavioral events that are associated with reproduction, and it includes courtship, copulation, nest building, oviposition, incubation, and parental behavior. Reproductive behavior in vertebrates is thought to have evolved long before the ascent of birds. Presumably, as a result of this ancient origin and the adaptation of birds to living in most terrestrial ecosystems, avian reproductive behavior as a whole and its individual components are extremely diverse with regard to complexity, duration, seasonality, and control mechanisms. Despite this diversity, avian reproductive behavior is proximately regulated by a large, but in many instances rather conserved, set of (neuro)hormones. This chapter draws from a variety of avian models to address aspects of this regulation. It emphasizes the fact that in addition to being controlled by (neuro)hormones, reproductive behavior is influenced by an array of environmental factors and social interactions. A major impetus of research on avian reproductive behavior is to identify the mechanisms by which internal and external factors govern the expression of this behavior, and to determine how organisms integrate the influence of these factors and transduce this integrated information into time- and context-appropriate behavioral responses.
Advancing reproductive neuroendocrinology through research on the regulation of GnIH and on its diverse actions on reproductive physiology and behavior
2022, Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology
The discovery of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) in 2000 has led to a new research era of reproductive neuroendocrinology because, for a long time, researchers believed that only gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) regulated reproduction as a neurohormone. Later studies on GnIH demonstrated that it acts as a new key neurohormone inhibiting reproduction in vertebrates. GnIH reduces gonadotropin release and synthesis via the GnIH receptor GPR147 on gonadotropes and GnRH neurons. Furthermore, GnIH inhibits reproductive behavior, in addition to reproductive neuroendocrine function. The modification of the synthesis of GnIH and its release by the neuroendocrine integration of environmental and internal factors has also been demonstrated. Thus, the discovery of GnIH has facilitated advances in reproductive neuroendocrinology. Here, we describe the advances in reproductive neuroendocrinology driven by the discovery of GnIH, research on the effects of GnIH on reproductive physiology and behavior, and the regulatory mechanisms underlying GnIH synthesis and release.
Impact of male-female cohabitation period on behavioral aspects, fertility, hatchability, and hormonal estimates of Japanese quail
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To evaluate the impact of male-female cohabitation period on the fertility, hatchability, injuries response, and some hormonal estimates in Japanese quails. A total of 288 mature Japanese quails were equally divided into 3 groups (3 groups × 8 replicates × 12 birds), with 1 Male: 2 Females sex ratio. In the first group (control), male and female quails were reared continuously together, while the males in the second and third groups were reared together with females once or twice/wk times (24 h/ time), respectively throughout the experiment. The obtained results showed that final body weight (FBW/g), fertility (%), and hatchability (%) in the second and third groups significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased compared with the control group. Laying quails in the second and third groups significantly (P ≤ 0.01) produced more and heavier eggs, while the feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) decreased compared with the control group. The injuries response for both sex in the second and third groups significantly (P ≤ 0.01) decreased compared with the control group. The cloacal size (mm²) for quails in the third group significantly (P ≤ 0.01) increased than those of the first and second groups, while the testes (%) were not affected. The testosterone hormone concentration for male chickens in the second and third groups significantly (P < 0.01) decreased, while the female progesterone hormone concentration (ng/mL) significantly (P < 0.01) increased compared with the control group. The means of red blood cells (RBC/106), white blood cells (WBC/103), and hemoglobin (g/dL) for quails in the second and third groups significantly (P < 0.01) increased, while heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L ratio) significantly (P < 0.01) decreased compared with the control group. Thus, it could be concluded that the reduction male-female cohabitation period of quails is recommended for improving the fertility and hatchability percentages as well as and some hormonal estimates.
Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone as a regulator of social interactions in vertebrates
2022, Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology
Citation Excerpt :
This suggests that male quail initially recognize prospective mates by means of visual cues, such as head and neck color. In addition, quail are unique in that males exhibit a transient decline in circulating testosterone levels when viewing an adult female conspecific (Cornil et al., 2009; Delville et al., 1984). Tobari et al. (2014) exploited this finding to identify the neurochemical pathways involved in the male brain from visual perception of a female conspecific to a change in blood gonadotropin level.
The social environment changes circulating hormone levels and expression of social behavior in animals. Social information is perceived by sensory systems, leading to cellular and molecular changes through neural processes. Peripheral reproductive hormone levels are regulated by activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Until the end of the last century, the neurochemical systems that convey social information to the HPG axis were not well understood. Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) was the first hypothalamic neuropeptide shown to inhibit gonadotropin release, in 2000. GnIH is now regarded as a negative upstream regulator of the HPG axis, and it is becoming increasingly evident that it responds to social cues. In addition to controlling reproductive physiology, GnIH seems to modulate the reproductive behavior of animals. Here, we review studies investigating how GnIH neurons respond to social information and describe the mechanisms through which GnIH regulates social behavior.
Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH): A new key neurohormone controlling reproductive physiology and behavior
2021, Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology
Citation Excerpt :
There is variability in reproductive behavior and function, both within and between individuals. Delville et al. (1984) and Cornil et al. (2009) demonstrated that in male quail there is rapid decrease in plasma T levels, if there is a female bird nearby. On the basis of these impressive observations, Tsutsui’s group delineated the neurochemical mechanism by which social environment modifies reproductive function. (
The discovery of novel neurohormones is important for the advancement of neuroendocrinology. In early 1970s, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a hypothalamic neuropeptide that promotes gonadotropin release, was identified to be an endogenous neurohormone in mammals. In 2000, thirty years later, another hypothalamic neuropeptide, gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), that inhibits gonadotropin release, was found in quail. GnIH acts via GPR147 and inhibits gonadotropin release and synthesis and reproductive function in birds through actions on GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus and pituitary gonadotrophs. Later, GnIH was found in other vertebrates including humans. GnIH studies have advanced the progress of reproductive neuroendocrinology. Furthermore, recent GnIH studies have indicated that abnormal changes in GnIH expression may cause pubertal disorder and reproductive dysfunction. Here, we describe GnIH discovery and its impact on the progress of reproductive neuroendocrinology. This review also highlights advancement and perspective of GnIH studies on drug development for pubertal disorder and reproductive dysfunction. (149/150)
Retinal and extra-retinal photoreceptor responses and reproductive performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) following exposure to different photoperiodic regime
2021, General and Comparative Endocrinology
Citation Excerpt :
Japanese quail also exhibits scotosensitivity (gonadal suppression in short day) and Scotorefractoriness (refractoriness towards short day effect), (Chaturvedi et al., 1993; Sharp and Sterling, 1985; Follet et al., 1992; Srivastava et al., 2007; Banerjee and Chaturvedi, 2017, 2018). Another study of Deville et al. (1984) suggested that if juvenile quail is kept under short photoperiodic condition it remains sexually immature whereas when adult bird raised under long photoperiodic condition it remains sexually active unless transfer to relative short photoperiod. Perera and Follett (1992) reported that long photoperiod alters the reproductive phenomenon in many species by altering the secretion of GnRH and GnIH from the hypothalamus.
Japanese quail is a truly photoperiodic avian species. In general long days are gonado-stimulatory and short days are gonado-inhibitory for this poultry bird. To investigate the correlation of retinal and extra-retinal photoreceptors with different photoperiodic conditions quail were divided into 2 groups and kept under long day (16L: 8D) and short day (8L: 16D) condition separately to develop photosensitivity and scotosensitivity respectively. Transfer of long day quail to intermediate day-length (13.5L: 10.5D) developed photorefractoriness (relative) and prolonged exposure to short photoperiodic conditions led the birds to develop scotorefractoriness. Increased expression of mRNA and immunosignaling of photoreceptors rhodopsin, transducin in eye and hypothalamus while decreased mRNA expression of melatonin receptors (Mel1b, Mel1c) were noted in the eyes of photosensitive (PS) and scotorefractory (SR) quail compared to photorefractory (PR) and scotosensitive (SS) birds respectively. Decreased expression of hypothalamic GnIH and melatonin receptors mRNA was observed in PS and SR birds compared to PR and SS birds respectively. Modulation of retinal and extra retinal photoreceptors leads to increased spermatogenesis as well as mRNA expression of steroidogenic genes and androgen receptor in the testis of sexually active PS and SR quail. These results led us to conclude that gonadal stimulation in PS as well as SR quail is outcome of activated retinal and extra retinal photoreceptors which lowered melatonin receptors and GnIH expression. Contrarily testicular inhibition in PR and SS is the outcome of decreased photoperception. It is suggested that decreased photoperception in SS quail increases after prolong exposure of the short day (in SR) leading to increased activity of HPG axis.

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General and Comparative Endocrinology

Abstract

References (30)

Hormonal correlates of behavior

Diurnal variations of plasma FSH, LH, and testosterone in male ring doves kept under different photoperiods

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol

Progress and prospects in ring doves research: A personal view

Adv. Study Behav

The effect of male song on an estrogen-dependent behavior pattern in the female canary, Serinus canarius

Horm. Behav

Hormonal response of freeliving male white-crowned sparrows to experimental manipulation of female sexual behavior

Horm. Behav

Social interactions and androgen levels in birds. I. Female characteristics associated with increased plasma androgen levels in the male ring dove (Streptopelia risoria)

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol

Variations in the photoperiodic cloacal response of Japanese quail: Association with testis weight and feather color

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol

Short term variation in serum luteinizing hormone and testosterone in the male Japanese quail

Poult. Sci

Radioimmunoassay of corticosterone, cortisol, and cortisone: Their application to human cord and maternal plasma

J. Steroid Biochem

Daily variations of behavioural activities and of plasma testosterone levels in the domestic duck Anas platyrhynchos

J. Zool

Hormonal control of the gonadal regression and recovery observed in short days in male and female doves

J. Endocrinol

Interaction of lighting and other environmental variables on activity of hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal system

Nature (London)

Short day induced gonadal regression in ring doves (Streptopelia risoria). A case for seasonal variation

Chronobiologia (Milan)

Testosterone and “5α-dihydrotestosterone” levels in peripheral plasma of male and female ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) during the reproductive cycle

Biol. Reprod

Rate of testicular maturation, in relation to gonadotrophin and testosterone levels in quail exposed to various artificial photoperiods and to natural daylengths

J. Endocrinol

Cited by (64)

Reproductive behavior

Advancing reproductive neuroendocrinology through research on the regulation of GnIH and on its diverse actions on reproductive physiology and behavior

Impact of male-female cohabitation period on behavioral aspects, fertility, hatchability, and hormonal estimates of Japanese quail

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone as a regulator of social interactions in vertebrates

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH): A new key neurohormone controlling reproductive physiology and behavior

Retinal and extra-retinal photoreceptor responses and reproductive performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) following exposure to different photoperiodic regime