Neuroendocrine System in Seasonal Breeder

The reproduction of animals is a way to maintain their species and demands a large amount of energy. The golden hamsters are seasonal breeders whose reproductive activities are regulated by photoperiod (length of day time in a day). The photic information received is transported to the pineal gland via many steps. Melatonin produced by the pineal gland affects the reproductive neuroendocrine system to manage reproductive activities. The major regulator neurons, secreting gonadotropin-releasing hormone, integrate all kinds of information to govern the reproductive frame hypothalamuspituitary-gonad axis. The elements impinging on the neurons are recently outspread. Thus the present review is to briefly survey the elements discovered newly and subjected to the active research realm and their correlations, focusing on the regulation of reproduction in mainly male golden hamsters as a representative animal.