Simulated photoperiod influences testicular activity in quail via modulating local GnRHR-GnIHR, GH-R, Cnx-43 and 14-3-3.

The hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis mediated differential photosexual responses in quail kept under different simulated photoperiodic conditions have been studied in details. Local testicular GnRH-GnIH and their receptor system has been hypothesized to be modulated in quail showing different photo-sexual responses and thus influence the testicular activity and steroidogenesis through local (paracrine and autocrine) action. To validate this hypothesis, we studied the expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R), gonadotropin inhibiting hormone receptor (GnIH-R) mRNA, growth hormone receptor (GH-R), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), 14-3-3, Connexin-43 (Cnx-43), steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein (StAR), steroidogenic enzyme (3β HSD) in testis as well as androgen receptor (AR) in testis and epididymis of photosensitive (PS), scotorefractory (SR), photorefractory (PR) and scotosensitive (SS) quail. Experimental findings clearly indicate the increased expression of GnIH-R mRNA and suppression of GnRH-R, GH-R, PCNA, 14-3-3, Connexin-43, SF-1, StAR, 3β HSD in testis as well as AR in testis and epididymis of PR and SS quail, while PS and SR quail exhibited the opposite results i.e., 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 intra-testicular testosterone has been observed in the PS and SR quail while, PR and SS quail showed opposite results. Hence, we conclude that PS and SR quail showed significantly increased testicular activity and steroidogenesis while opposite pattern was observed in PR and SS quail.