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Date of Award
5-1985
Document Type
Restricted Thesis: Campus only access
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Biology
Abstract
This work was undertaken to study the effects of photoperiod and melatonin injections on the development of the reproductive organs in the female Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). Three groups were placed in different photoperiods ranging from 24L:0D to 14L:l0D and 1L:23D. After 45 days five gerbils from each photoperiod were killed and liver, kidneys, adrenals, heart, thymus, pituitary and reproductive organs (ovaries, oviducts, uteri) were weighed. From 90 days to 135 days three gerbils from each photoperiod received vehicle injections, and three from each photo-period received melatonin injections. At 135 days these gerbils were killed and the same organs examined.
Photoperiod and melatonin injections did seem to play a role in determining body weight as the 24L:0D animals had the highest mean body weight at 45 days, and the 1L:23D animals had the highest mean body weight at 135 days. Also photoperiod and melatonin seem to play a role in the development of the reproductive organs, but do not seem to play a role in the development of the liver, kidneys, adrenals, heart, thymus, or pituitary.
Recommended Citation
Buttenbaum, Raymond Scott, "The effects of photoperiod and melatonin injections on the reproductive system of the female Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)" (1985). Honors Theses. 338.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/338