Timed daily injections of neurotransmitter precursors alter the gonad and body weights of spotted munia,Lonchura punctulata, maintained under short daily photoperiods

Specific neural phase relation of serotonin and dopamine modulate the testicular activity in Japanese quail

Specific phase relation of serotonin and dopamine modulate the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis as well as photosexual responses in Japanese quail, but the effect of these specific phase relations on testicular activity and steroidogenesis is not yet been investigated. We hypothesized that temporal phase relation induced alteration in local testicular gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and their receptor system may modulate the testicular activity and steroidogenesis through local (paracrine and autocrine) action. To validate this hypothesis, we have checked the alterations in the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R), gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone receptor (GnIH-R) messenger RNA (mRNA), growth hormone receptor (GH-R), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cell communication and gap junctional proteins (14-3-3 and connexin-43 [Cnx-43]), steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, steroidogenic enzyme (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [3β-HSD]) in testis as well as androgen receptor (AR) in testis and epididymis of control, 8-, and 12-hr quail. Experimental findings clearly indicate the increased expression of GnIH-R mRNA and suppression of GnRH-R, GH-R, PCNA, 14-3-3, Cnx-43, SF-1, StAR, 3β-HSD in testis as well as AR in testis and epididymis in 8-hr quail, while 12-hr quail exhibited the opposite results that is significantly decreased expression of GnIH-R mRNA and increased expression of GnRH-R, GH-R, PCNA, 14-3-3, Cnx-43, SF-1, StAR, 3β-HSD in testis as well as AR in testis and epididymis. The significantly increased intratesticular testosterone has been observed in the 12-hr quail while, 8-hr quail showed opposite result. Hence, it can be concluded that 12-hr quail showed significantly increased testicular activity and steroidogenesis while opposite pattern was observed in 8-hr quail.

Apoptosis-mediated testicular alteration in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in response to temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations

Reproductive performance of many avian species, including Japanese quail, is reported to be modulated by specific temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations. Accordingly, it has been shown that the serotonin precursor 5-HTP and the dopamine precursor l-DOPA given 8 h apart induce gonadal suppression and given 12 h apart lead to gonadal stimulation, while other temporal relationships were found to be ineffective. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 8- and 12-h phase relation of neural oscillations on testicular responses including expression of GnRH-I, GnIH, pro-apoptotic proteins (p53 and Bax), inactive and active executioner caspase-3, and the uncleaved DNA repair enzyme PARP-1. Testicular volume and mass decreased significantly in 8-h quail and increased in 12-h quail compared with controls. Expression of ir-GnIH, p53, Bax and active-caspase-3 increased and that of GnRH-I, pro-caspase-3 and uncleaved PARP-1 decreased in 8-h quail compared with controls. A TUNEL assay also confirmed testicular regression in these quail. Testes of 12-h quail exhibited significantly increased expression of GnRH-I, pro-caspase-3 and uncleaved PARP-1 compared with the control group. Our findings suggest that differential response of avian testes to 8- and 12-h phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic neural oscillations may be attributed to autocrine/paracrine action of GnIH expression, which is upregulated in regressed testes, leading to apoptotic changes, and downregulated in developed testes, causing apoptotic inhibition. It is concluded that specific phase relation of neural oscillations may modulate the local testicular GnRH-GnIH system and alter the apoptotic mechanism in quail testes. Moreover, these findings highlight the physiological effects of time-dependent drug delivery, including the specific time intervals between two drugs.

Nesfatin-1: Localization and expression in avian gonads and its modulation by temporal phase relation of neural oscillations in female Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

In a search for new appetite-controlling signals, the peptide nesfatin-1, expressed in the brain and peripheral tissues of rodents and humans has been reported to regulate feeding by reducing food intake. Recently it has also been reported that nesfatin-1 might be involved in regulating the reproductive axis in fishes and mammals, but its expression and physiological role if any, is not yet known in birds. In the present study, localization and expression of nesfatin-1 was observed in the testis, ovary and shell gland of poultry species Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. Our earlier studies have reported that serotonin precursor 5-HTP and dopamine precursor l-DOPA given 8h apart induces gonadal suppression, when given 12h apart leads to gonadal stimulation while other relationships were found ineffective. In the present study intense ir-nesfatin-1 was observed in the regressed ovary (stromal cells) and shell gland (endometrium) of 8-h Japanese quail while in 12-h quail, weak and scarce immunostaining for nesfatin-1 was detected in the hyperactive ovary and shell gland compared to control. These findings led us to conclude that, an inverse relationship exists between ovarian activity (both in the control and simulated conditions) and nesfatin-1 expression. Present avian study, first of its kind, also suggests the role of nesfatin-1 in reproductive regulation possibly via appetite control and energy balance in female Japanese quail and needs to be investigated further in relation to food intake.

Interaction of specific temporal phase relations of circadian neural oscillations and long term photoperiodic responses in Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

Specific temporal phase relations of neural oscillations are reported to regulate gonadal activity in many avian species but their interaction with photo-sexual response are still unclear. Hence in the present study, 3week old Japanese quail maintained in short days (experiment 1) received normal saline (SD control) or serotonin precursor 5-HTP and dopamine precursor l-DOPA injections at the interval of 12h (SD 12-h) for 13days. At 37week of age, one subgroup of SD 12-h received these drugs at the interval of 8-h (SD 12-h+8-h). In the second experiment, 3week old quail were injected with 5-HTP and l-DOPA 8h apart (LD 8-h) and then maintained under long days. At the age of 37weeks, one subgroup of these LD quail was retreated with 5-HTP and l-DOPA at the interval of 8h (LD 8-h+8-h). Cloacal gland volume was monitored weekly up to 45weeks of age in both experiments and other reproductive parameters were monitored at 23 and 45week of age. These results indicate that 12-h phase relation of neurotransmitter precursors not only initiates early onset of scotorefractoriness i.e., full development of gonad even under short-day length but maintains it continuously (a long lasting effect) unlike control and the 8-h relation dissipates it, making the quail scotosensitive. On the other hand, the 8-h phase relation suppresses the gonado-stimulatory effect of long days but this effect is transitory. Thus the 12-h phase relation is gonado-stimulatory under short day conditions and the 8-h relation is gonado-inhibitory even under long days, inducing scotorefractoriness and photorefractoriness, respectively, it is suggested that effects of specific temporal phase relation of circadian neural oscillations similar to photoperiodic effects, are not only mediated by HPG axis but may also modulate the classical photoperiodic responses of Japanese quail.

Interrelationship between NO and androgenic activity in mice, Mus musculus, following temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic neural oscillations

The present study was designed to monitor the correlation of gonadal steroidogenic activity and nitric oxide (NO) of plasma and testis of male laboratory mouse, Mus musculus, under (1) control/basal and (2) experimental conditions. In the first study, male mice (n = 6) of three age groups (3-week-old sexually immature, 9-week-old sexually mature and 1.5-year-old) were assayed for plasma testosterone and level of NO in the plasma and testis. The immunoreactivity of 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3-β-HSD) and androgen receptors (ARs) was also detected in testis and epididymis, respectively. In the second study, the reproductive state of mice was altered by injecting precursors of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and dopamine L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) daily for 13 days. In one subgroup, mice received their daily injections 8 h apart and in another subgroup 12 h apart. A third subgroup of control mice received two daily injections of normal saline. After the completion of the experiment, the mentioned parameters were measured. The results showed a significant increase in levels of NO and a lowering of the immune reactivity of 3-β-HSD and AR, in both leydig cells and the epididymis in the sexually immature, old-age mice as well as in the mice that received 5-HTP and L-DOPA in the 8-h temporal relation, whereas opposite effects were observed in the sexually mature mice as well as in the mice that received 5-HTP and L-DOPA in the 12-h temporal relation. These findings led us to conclude that an inverse correlation exists between testicular steroidogenic activity and NO activity of laboratory mice under control and experimentally modulated gonadal conditions.

Influence of temporal relationships between serotonergic and dopaminergic precursors on the regulation of gonadal development in birds

This article is focused on the effect of specific phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations on the gonadal responses of different avian species. These species include (i) summer breeding birds - Red headed bunting (exhibiting post-reproductive absolute photorefractoriness) and Indian Weaver bird (which lacks absolute photorefractoriness), (ii) autumn breeding - Spotted munia and Lal munia (photoperiodic responses of which are distinctly different from that of any long day birds described thus far) and (iii) domesticated Japanese quail (which under natural day length breeds in summer, exhibits relative photorefractoriness, but breeds continuously if maintained in long photoperiod). Previous experiments have shown that daily administration of serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan and dopamine precursor L-dihydroxyphenylalanine given 8h apart during progressive phase of gonadal cycle can lead to a significant decrease in gonadal activity. However, if given at an interval of 12h it leads to an increase in gonadal activity and the effect of other intervals (0-, 4-, 16- and 20-h) were not different from control. Similar effects were observed during regressive phase of the gonadal cycle of above species except in those which display absolute photorefractory phase in their breeding cycle. This shows that, gonad of such species not only develop post-reproductive photorefractoriness but also becomes insensitive to the stimulatory effects of 5-HTP and L-DOPA when given at the interval of 12h. It is suggested that, temporal phase relation of circadian serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations is the basis of seasonality in birds and may alter the activity of neuroendocrine-gonadal axis not only under natural day length but also under experimental/different photoperiodic conditions. These results are in agreement with the internal coincidence model of photoperiodic time measurement and indicate that birds can detect specific phase relationship between the two neural oscillations for their reproductive regulations and circadian organization is intricately involved in the regulation of seasonality.

Four Hour Temporal Relation of 5-HTP and L-DOPA Induces Inhibitory Responses in Recrudescing Gonad of Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennantii)

Daily injections of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA, dopamine precursor) given 4 h after 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, serotonin precursor) induced inhibitory responses in recrudescing gonad (in the first week of December) of Indian palm squirrel, a seasonally breeding subtropical animal. Other temporal relations (L-DOPA given at 0, 8, 12, 16, and 20 h after 5-HTP administration) did not show any effect on the recrudescing gonad. This inhibitory effect of 4 h was evident under short day length (6 : 18) group but was masked by the increasing day length of nature (NDL, late December onwards) and increased photoperiod of long day group (16 : 8). It is apparent that seasonal testicular recrudescence of Indian palm squirrel during short day length by 4 h relation of 5-HTP and L-DOPA is not a pharmacological effect but actually is an alteration of seasonality in this annually breeding mammal. It seems that endogenous mechanism controlling seasonal testicular recrudescence of Indian palm squirrel is reset by timed daily injections of these neurotransmitter drugs. It is suggested that in spite of different environmental factors (photoperiod, humidity, etc.) used by different species to time their annual reproduction, basic mechanism of seasonality appears to be the same, that is, the temporal synergism of neurotransmitter activity.

Evolving nonapeptide mechanisms of gregariousness and social diversity in birds

Of the major vertebrate taxa, Class Aves is the most extensively studied in relation to the evolution of social systems and behavior, largely because birds exhibit an incomparable balance of tractability, diversity, and cognitive complexity. In addition, like humans, most bird species are socially monogamous, exhibit biparental care, and conduct most of their social interactions through auditory and visual modalities. These qualities make birds attractive as research subjects, and also make them valuable for comparative studies of neuroendocrine mechanisms. This value has become increasingly apparent as more and more evidence shows that social behavior circuits of the basal forebrain and midbrain are deeply conserved (from an evolutionary perspective), and particularly similar in birds and mammals. Among the strongest similarities are the basic structures and functions of avian and mammalian nonapeptide systems, which include mesotocin (MT) and arginine vasotocin (VT) systems in birds, and the homologous oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) systems, respectively, in mammals. We here summarize these basic properties, and then describe a research program that has leveraged the social diversity of estrildid finches to gain insights into the nonapeptide mechanisms of grouping, a behavioral dimension that is not experimentally tractable in most other taxa. These studies have used five monogamous, biparental finch species that exhibit group sizes ranging from territorial male-female pairs to large flocks containing hundreds or thousands of birds. The results provide novel insights into the history of nonapeptide functions in amniote vertebrates, and yield remarkable clarity on the nonapeptide biology of dinosaurs and ancient mammals. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Social Behavior.

Temporal phase relation of circadian neural oscillations as the basis of testicular maturation in mice: a test of a coincidence model

To study the underlying mechanism of gonadal growth during the attainment of puberty and to test a coincidence model, 7 experimental groups of 2-week-old male mice, Mus musculus, were administered the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan, followed by the dopamine precursor, L-dihydroxyphenylalanine at hourly intervals of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 h (5 mg/100 g body weight per day for 13 days). At 11 days post-treatment, a suppression of gonadal activity was seen in the 7-h mice and a maximum suppression in the 8-h mice, along with a significantly increased degree of gonadal development in the 12-h mice, as compared with the controls. In addition to its known regulation of seasonal gonadal cycles, the relative position of two circadian neural oscillations may also affect the rate of gonadal development during the attainment of puberty in mice. Moreover, the present study provides an experimental paradigm to test the coincidence model of circadian oscillations.

Mucuna pruriens seed powder feeding influences reproductive conditions and development in Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

This study was designed to test whether Mucuna pruriens, a natural source of l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA, a dopamine precursor) feeding, can influence development and reproductive conditions in the high food value bird, Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica. Experiments were performed in both male and female Japanese quail. One-week-old quail chicks were divided into three groups of 36 birds each. Group I was provided with normal diet and served as control. Group II was provided with food mixed with l-DOPA (50 mg/15 g food) and Group III was provided with food mixed with M. pruriens seed powder (480 g/kg food). At the age of 3 weeks (when birds were sexually distinguished) Group I was divided into two sub-groups IA (male) and IB (female) of six birds each. Similarly, Groups II and III were sub-divided into IIA (male), IIB (female) and IIIA (male), IIIB (female), respectively, of six birds each. Observations were made up to the age of 5 weeks. Male experimental groups (IIA and IIIA) showed significantly increased testicular activity, cloacal gland volume, body weight (BW), plasma testosterone and LH level in comparison to control (IA). Similarly female experimental groups (IIB and IIIB) showed significantly greater weight of reproductive organs (uterus, ovary, oviduct and ovarian follicle), BW, egg weight and size and number of follicles. On the other hand, plasma prolactin level was significantly low in comparison to control (IB). Results suggest that M. pruriens is a rich natural source of l-DOPA and the development and reproduction in Japanese quail might be associated with the dopaminergic system of the brain.

Correlation of nitric oxide (NO) activity and gonadal function in Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica following temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations

Nitric oxide (NO), a highly reactive and short-lived radical, is considered to be an important trigger molecule for several physiological mechanisms including gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion in mammals, although there is no such information in avian literature. On the other hand, specific temporal phase relation of circadian neural (serotonergic and dopaminergic) oscillations is reported to modulate reproductive activity in many avian species including Japanese quail. The present study was undertaken to investigate the correlation of NO activity and gonadal function of Japanese quail. In experiment I, the effect of serotonin and dopamine precursors, (5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and L-dihydroxyphenyalanine (L-DOPA) respectively; 5 mg per 100g body weight) administered at intervals of 8 or 12h over a period of 13 days, was studied on reproductive responses and NO activity. Measurements of body weight, cloacal gland size, testosterone concentration, spermatogenesis, nitrite-nitrate concentration in plasma, hypothalamus and testes, and NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity in testes were made on the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 11th days of treatment and 2nd and 30th day post-treatment. In experiment II, quail were divided into five groups including the control. One experimental group received 13 daily injections of 5-HTP and L-DOPA at intervals of 8h along with 0.1 ml of normal saline administered orally (8-hr+Veh), while another group of 8-hr quail received NO donor (sodium nitroprusside (SNP), 5 mg per 100 g body weight) orally (8-hr+SNP). The third experimental group received 5-HTP and L-DOPA at intervals of 12h along with normal saline (12-hr+Veh), while the fourth group of quail along with 5-HTP and L-DOPA at intervals of 12h also received the NOS inhibitor (N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME, 25 microg per 100 g body weight) intraperitoneally (12-hr+L-NAME) for 13 days. This experiment was terminated after 21 days of the treatment. Results indicate that 5-HTP and L-DOPA administered 8h apart (8-hr) suppressed but if given 12h apart (12-hr) stimulated the reproductive system and NO activity compared to the control. These effects were apparent on the 6th day of injections and were maintained 30 days following the termination of the treatment. A significant decrease in nitrite and nitrate concentration and NADPH-d activity in reproductively inhibited 8-hr group and an increase in reproductively stimulated 12-hr quail was also evident. In contrast, these activities were stimulated in 8-hr+SNP quail and were suppressed in 12-hr+L-NAME group quail. It is concluded that activity of the reproductive system and NO activity waxes and wanes simultaneously in Japanese quail. Moreover, experimental modulation of gonadal activity (following changes in the phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic activity) or NO activity (following the administration of NO modulator or inhibitor) affects each other maintaining a parallel relation between the two systems. Further, it is interesting to note that the gonado-stimulatory effect of SNP overpowers the gonado-inhibitory effects of the 8-hr time interval and inhibitory effects of L-NAME mask the stimulatory effects of 12-hr temporal relation of 5-HTP and L-DOPA administration. These findings strongly suggest that reproductive effects may be induced via changes in NO activity, however the exact mechanism by which NO drives gonadal axis needs to be ascertained.

Effect of temporal synergism of neural oscillations on photorefractoriness in Japanese Quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)

Circadian rhythms in many metabolic functions including neural (transmitters) and hormonal secretion appear to change with physiological condition. It is also reported that seasonal changes in photoperiodism/reproduction and other metabolic conditions may result from a temporal interaction of circadian neural oscillations that change seasonally. To test this hypothesis, the present study was designed to study the effect of temporal synergism of two neural oscillations (serotonin and dopamine) on relative photorefractoriness of Japanese quail. Serotonin and dopamine precursor drugs (5-HTP, 5-hydroxytryptophan and L-DOPA, L-dihydroxyphenylalanine) were administered (intraperitonially 5 mg/100 g body weight) at six different time intervals of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 hr in sexually mature quail (>12 weeks old). The birds of control group received two daily injections of normal saline. The treatment was given for 13 days in continuous condition of light and then the quail were shifted to intermediate daylength (LD 13.5:10.5 for experiment 1) and short daylength (LD 8:16 for experiment 2). Six weeks following treatment, birds in intermediate daylength showed regressed cloacal gland and testicular activity except in 12-hr group, which exhibited gonadostimulatory condition. But birds of all the groups in short daylength showed complete regression of cloacal gland after 4 weeks of the treatment. In experiment 3, reproductively quiescent relative photorefractory quail maintained under intermediate daylength (LD 13.5:10.5) received 13 daily injections of 5-HTP and L-DOPA at the interval of 12 hr. At 6 weeks post-treatment, it was observed that unlike cloacal gland of control quail, which remained regressed, that of 12-hr quail showed significant development. These findings indicate that 12-hr temporal interaction of 5-HTP and L-DOPA administration maintained reproductive system in stimulated condition and prevented reproductive regression in photorefractory quail, but did not prevent the onset of scotosensitivity. It is concluded that the 12-hr temporal relationship of circadian serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations not only eliminates photorefractoriness but may also re-establish photosensitivity in relative photorefractory quail. These findings suggest the regulatory role of neural oscillations and their temporal interaction in the regulation of neuroendocrine-gonadal axis with special reference to photosensitivity/refractoriness.

The effects of daily injections of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine and 5-hydroxytryptophan in different temporal relationships on thyroid-gonadal interaction in an Indian finch, spotted munia, Lonchura punctulata

Daily injection of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA, a dopamine precursor) given 12 hr after 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, a serotonin precursor) stimulated testicular growth and body weight increase in the spotted munia Lonchura punctulata. Daily injections of the same drugs given 8 hr apart had the opposite effect, inhibiting both testicular growth and body weight gain. These responses were not observed when either of the drugs were given alone, indicating that the effect was due to temporal synergism between serotonergic and dopaminergic functions. The inhibitory effect of daily injections of thyroxine on testicular and body growth were negated by injections of 5-HTP and L-DOPA separated by 12 hr. Conversely, the stimulatory effects of thyroidectomy in maintaining full testicular size and body weight after the breeding seasons were negated by daily injections of 5-HTP and L-DOPA separated by 8 hr. It is concluded that the inverse relationship between seasonal changes in thyroidal and reproductive functions may involve seasonal changes in phase relationships between daily rhythm in serotonergic and dopaminergic activity in the central nervous system.

Suppression of annual testicular development in Indian Palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti by 8 hr temporal relationship of serotonin and dopamine precursor drugs

Daily injections of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin precursor) and L-DOPA (L-Dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine precursor) given 8 hour apart inhibited normal testicular growth in seasonally breeding Indian Palm Squirrel, Funambulus pennanti leading to complete gonadal atrophy, which was maintained till the end of the study. HCG administration induced higher degree of gonadal development but, when the two treatments (HCG + 8 hr relationship of 5-HTP and L-DOPA) were given simultaneously no significant difference was observed compared to control. Results indicate that induced suppression of gonadal function in a fashion similar to seasonal regression leading to non-breeding condition is the consequence of specific phase relationship (8 hr) between serotonergic and dopaminergic activities and not due to Serotonin or dopamine alone. This suggestion gets support from the finding that gonadal condition of squirrels receiving only 5-HTP (5-HTP control) or L-DOPA (DOPA control) was not different from control and exhibited normal testicular growth. It also seems that neurotransmitter precursor drugs given 8 hr apart possibly inhibited the activity of neuroendocrine-gonadal axis since this effect was overpowered by stimulatory effect of gonadotrophin. The findings strongly support the hypothesis that specific phase relation of circadian serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations account for seasonal reproductive conditions.