Photoperiod and Reproduction in Female Deer Mice

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Abstract
Female deer mice were exposed to a short day (SD, 6L:18D) photoperiod beginning during 1 of 3 stages of life. In the 1st experiment, exposure to SD during adulthood resulted in a minimal disruption of reproductive condition; many females bore 2 litters after the onset of this treatment. In the 2nd experiment, females reared on SD from weaning matured normally, as measured by vaginal introitus; however, vaginal closure occurred in .apprx. 1/2 of these females by 9 wk of age. In the 3rd experiment, females were born of mothers housed on either an SD or a long day photoperiod, and were continued on the maternal photoperiod until 6 wk of postnatal age. The SD photoperiod markedly inhibited reproductive maturation as measured by vaginal patency, ovarian weight, and uterine weight. A comparison of reproductive state. As assayed by the present testing procedure, the sensitivity of the reproductive system to photoperiod decreases as a function of age in female deer mice.