Is reproduction of male eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus) from southern Africa affected by photoperiod?

dc.contributor.authorMedger, Katarina
dc.contributor.authorChimimba, Christian Timothy
dc.contributor.authorBennett, Nigel Charles
dc.contributor.emailncbennett@zoology.up.ac.zaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-17T06:29:10Z
dc.date.available2017-01-17T06:29:10Z
dc.date.issued2016-11
dc.description.abstractMany mammals use the change in day-length to time physiological and behavioural activities on a seasonal basis. Particularly mammals from temperate regions use photoperiod to regulate reproductive functions; however, information on the role of photoperiod in small mammals from the tropics and sub-tropics is scarce. We studied the response of the reproductive system of male eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus) from southern Africa to photoperiods of differing length. Elephantulus myurus breeds seasonally during the spring and summer months of the southern hemisphere despite its subtropical distribution. It is one of only three sengi species known to breed seasonally. Fourteen male E. myurus were subjected to either long-day (LD; 16L:8D) or short-day (SD; 8L:16D) photoperiods and the photoperiodic effects on the testes, testosterone concentration and body mass were examined. Testicular volume and mass, seminiferous tubule diameter as well as body mass were not significantly different between LD and SD conditions. However, plasma testosterone concentration was significantly lower in males on LD compared to SD photoperiods. Male E. myurus may not use photoperiod as a cue to control seasonal reproductive changes. Other environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, food abundance or social factors are possibly influencing seasonal reproduction in this species.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentZoology and Entomologyen_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipA South African Research Chair of Mammalian Behavioural Ecology and Physiology awarded to Nigel C. Bennett by the Department of Science and Technology and the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and K. Medger acknowledges a doctoral grant from the NRF.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.nrcresearchpress.com/journal/cjzen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMedger, K, Chimimba, CT & Bennett, NC 2016, 'Is reproduction of male eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus) from southern Africa affected by photoperiod?', Canadian Journal of Zoology, vol. 94, no. 11, pp. 747-752.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0008-4301 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1480-3283 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1139/cjz-2016-0132
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/58530
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherNRC Research Pressen_ZA
dc.rights© Copyright 2016 – NRC Research Pressen_ZA
dc.subjectElephantulus myurusen_ZA
dc.subjectEastern rock sengien_ZA
dc.subjectDay-lengthen_ZA
dc.subjectSeasonal reproductionen_ZA
dc.subjectEnvironmental cuesen_ZA
dc.subjectMacroscelideaen_ZA
dc.subjectSouthern Africaen_ZA
dc.titleIs reproduction of male eastern rock sengis (Elephantulus myurus) from southern Africa affected by photoperiod?en_ZA
dc.typePostprint Articleen_ZA

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