Journal of Environmental Biology

Role of thyroxine and prolactin in the testicular status of spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata)

 

Malabika Sikdar Bar

Zoology Department, Dr. H.S. Gour University, Sagar ? 470 003, India

 

(Received: 25 August, 2004 ; Accepted: 08 February, 2005)

 

Abstract: A long term investigation was made on the importance of? thyroxine? and prolactin? in the reproduction of a tropical wild bird, spotted? munia, Lonchura punctulata.? Different doses of thyroxine i.m. (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0mg; 0.56, 1.12 and 2.24n mol Sodium salt, Sigma) per day/bird were administered in 0.1ml of 0.9% alkaline NaCl per day per bird.? Similarly various doses of prolactin (1.0, 2.0,. and 4.0 i.u.) were given per day/bird in 0.1 ml of 0.9% alkaline NaCl .Almost normal testicular cycle was observed in vehicle treated birds.All three doses of thyroxine suppressed the cycle almost completely indicating a gonado- inhibitory nature of the hormone. Testicular development in all three prolactin treated groups was also inhibited in peak breeding time which indicates the antigonadal nature of this hormone in the reproduction of this bird.?

 

Key words: Thyroxine, Prolactin, Testis, Spotted munia.

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