The effect of different photoperiods on the methylating capacity of the pineal gland of adult, male golden hamsters, with special reference to 5-methoxyindoles.

Testes weight, plasma FSH and LH concentration and pineal methylating capacity were compared in hamsters housed under either long (LD14:10) or short (LD8:16) photoperiods. Hamsters housed for 14 weeks under short photoperiod showed gonadal atrophy, which was complete after 6 weeks. Also plasma FSH and LH concentration showed a marked decline after transfer to short photoperiod. However, after 14 weeks the concentration of FSH and LH as well as testes weight increased again. Under both photoperiods day/night rhythms in plasma FSH and LH concentration were measured. Under both light regimes the concentrations did not show significant differences. Under long as well as short photoperiods in the pineal gland of animals no significant differences were found in the daily synthesis of various MI tested. Only the synthesis of ML was significantly higher in the pineal of hamsters housed under short photoperiod. The function of this higher synthesis of ML remains unknown. Although the maxima of the rhythm for the various MI found under different LD regimes did not differ in magnitude or duration, their location in respect to the onset of darkness was different. It is suggested that this specific location is of more physiological importance than the quantity or duration of synthesis, concentration or release of MI. At the moment the day/night rhythms were determined there were indications that recrudescence of the testes had already started. It is suggested that this recrudescence is responsible for the fact that no differences in the synthesis of MI were found comparing the influence of both photoperiods. After 14 weeks of exposure to short photoperiod, aML synthesis was, in contrast to the synthesis of the other MI, (not significantly) higher under LD8:16. Moreover, opposite results for aMT and aML synthesis during darkness were found. It is suggested that the ratio of synthesis of these compounds is of physiological significance.