Sexual maturation of male rats in continuous light.

Male rats were raised from birth in either continuous light (LL) or in 14 h light/10 h dark per day (LD) at 22 +/- 1 degree C. Food and water were administered ad libitum. Groups of rats were killed by decapitation at 14, 20, 25, 35, 41, 45, 51, 55, 58, 63, and 79 days of age. Testicular (TW), ventral prostate (VPW), and seminal vesicle (SVW) weights were measured. Serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and androgens were quantified by radioimmunoassay. Results indicate no significant change in TW or spermatogenesis. Spermatozoa were first seen in the lumen of 10% of seminiferous tubules at 35 days of age in both LD and LL rats and by 42 days of age, 80% of tubules from both LD and LL rats contained spermatozoa in the lumen. A highly significant depression in accessory structure development (VPW, SVW) was observed as a result of LL exposure. Serum FSH levels in LL rats were depressed on days 45, 51, 55, and 58 but elevated at 79. Serum PRL concentrations were elevated in LL rats on days 41, 55, 58, 63, and 79, whereas serum androgen levels were depressed on days 58, 63, and 79. Results suggest that exposure to LL results in delayed maturation of the accessory structures in the reproductive system of the male rat possibly as a result of reduced FSH or elevated PRL levels, which in turn may modify the rate and pattern of LH and/or androgen secretion.