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The Journal of Experimental Biology 204, 2535-2541 (2001)
© 2001 The Company of Biologists Limited

Review

Influence of near-ultraviolet radiation on reproductive and immunological development in juvenile male Siberian hamsters

George C. Brainard1,*, John P. Hanifin1, Felix M. Barker2, Britt Sanford1 and Milton H. Stetson3

1 Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA,
2 The Martin Hafter Light and Laser Institute, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141, USA and
3 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA

*Author for correspondence (e-mail: george.brainard{at}mail.tju.edu)

Accepted April 19, 2001

The aim of this study was to characterize the lenticular ultraviolet transmission of the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) and to probe the range of near-ultraviolet (UV-A, 315–400nm) and visible wavelengths (400–760nm) for modulating the photoperiodic regulation of its reproductive and immune systems. Ocular lenses from adult hamsters were found to transmit UV-A wavelengths at similar levels to visible wavelengths, with a short-wavelength cut-off of 300nm. Five separate studies compared the responses of juvenile male hamsters to long photoperiods (16h:8h L:D), short photoperiods (10h:14h L:D) and short photoperiods interrupted by an equal photon pulse of monochromatic light of 320, 340, 360, 500 or 725nm during the night. The results show that UV-A wavelengths at 320, 340 and 360nm can regulate both reproductive and immune short-photoperiod responses as effectively as visible monochromatic light at 500nm. In contrast, long-wavelength visible light at 725nm did not block the short-photoperiod responses. These results suggest that both wavelengths in the visible spectrum, together with UV-A wavelengths, contribute to hamster photoperiodism in natural habitats.

Key words: Phodupus sungorus, ultraviolet radiation, wavelength, reproductive system, immune system, thymus, photoperiodism


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© The Company of Biologists Ltd 2001