Prolactin counteracts effects of short day lengths on pelage growth in the meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus

Abstract

To test whether growth of the winter coat in short day lengths is contingent on suppression of plama prolactin (Prl) levels, female meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were kept in short day lengths for 12 weeks and were injected daily with saline or Prl; long-day animals were treated with either the dopamine agonist, bromocryptine (bromo), bromo plus Prl, or saline. Prl treatment prevented the growth of the winter coat normally observed after 12 weeks in short day lengths, but bromocryptine did not stimulate pelage growth in long-day voles. Pelage growth in short day lengths appears contingent upon decreased plasma prolactin levels.