Photoperiod time measurement for activity, torpor, molt and reproduction in mice.

Resonance light:dark cycles (LD 6:18, 6:30, 6:42, or 6:54) were used to establish that a circadian rhythm of light sensitivity is involved in the thermoregulatory and reproductive responses to a short day photoperiod in the mouse, Peromyscus leucopus. A fifth group was maintained on the long day photoperiod of LD 16:8. After 19 weeks animals presented with LD 6:18 or 6:42 exhibited short day photoperiod responses: gonadal regression, incidence of spontaneous daily torpor and molt to the winter pelage. In contrast animals responded to LD 6:30 and 6:54 as long day photoperiods: maintenance of gonadal system, no incidence of spontaneous daily torpor, and summer pelage. In a second study a T-experiment was conducted to determine that more than one circadian system may regulate these multiple photoperiodic effects. Mice were exposed to 1 of 8 LD cycles for 15 weeks (1:22.00, 1:22.25, 1:22.50, 1:23.00, 1:23.50, 1:23.75, 9:15, or 16:8), Entrained wheel-running activity occurred under all LD regimes. Mice on LD 1:22.50, 1:23.00, and 1:23.50, however, exhibited activity patterns similar to mice on LD 9:15, and they exhibited gonadal regression. Mice on LD 1:22.00, 1:22.25, and 1:23.75 exhibited activity patterns similar to LD 16:8 animals, and most of these animals remained reproductively competent. There was also a close association between occurrence of reproductive regression and daily torpor. In contrast, molt to the winter pelt occurred under all non-24-hr LD cycles. This dysynchrony in response suggests that at least 2 circadian systems are involved in photoperiodic time measurement in P. leucopus.