Thyroid and annual gonad development, body weight, plumage pigmentation, and bill color cycles of lal munia, Estrilda amandava

doi:10.1016/0016-6480(84)90124-2

General and Comparative Endocrinology

Volume 55, Issue 1, July 1984, Pages 20-28

https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-6480(84)90124-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

Long-term administration of l-thyroxine (T₄) in the wax bill (lal munia) inhibited the current gonad development cycle, and the increase in gonadal volume in the second cycle was suppressed only by higher concentrations. Gonadal inhibition by high but not by low doses of l-T₄ was associated with a failure in the development of LH-dependent pigmented nuptial plumage. This suggests that l-T₄ depresses FSH secretion more readily than LH secretion. The results indicate that the effects of l-T₄ administration on the body weight cycle depends upon the physiological and/or gonadal status of the bird at the start of the experiment and that the juvenile hhpothalamo-hypophysial-gonadal axis is more sensitive to l-T₄ than that of the adult birds. The bill color, like plumage pigmentation, appears to be LH controlled. It is suggested that while thyroid hormone, acting by way of the hypothalamo-hypophysial complex and/or by direct action on the feather papillae, modulates the annual cycles of plumage pigmentation, bill color, gonad development, and body weight of lal munia, the finch has an endogenous mechanism which enables it to adapt to chronic hyperthyroidism in such a way that breeding occurs at the normal time of the year.

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Annual endocrine cycles in temperate-zone birds with special attention to the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii

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Cited by (19)

Thyroid disrupting pesticides impair the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis of a wildlife bird, Amandava amandava
2017, Reproductive Toxicology
Citation Excerpt :
However, contradictory effects of THs have been reported in tropical/sub-tropical zone birds. Whereas in passerine birds (Emberiza bruniceps, Passer domesticus, Ploceus philippinus and Acridotheres tristis) THs have been linked to up-regulation of the gonadal development [10,11], in estrildid finches (Amandava amandava/Estrilda amandava, Lonchura punctulata and Lonchura castaneothorax) the opposite effects have been suggested [12–14]. Pesticides of diverse chemical nature such as organochlorines, organophosphates, neonicotinoids and dithiocarbamates, disrupt thyroid functioning interfering with hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis of both mammals and birds [15–17].
The effect of two thyroid disrupting pesticides (TDPs) mancozeb (MCZ) and imidacloprid (IMI) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal/testicular (HPG) axis of a seasonally breeding bird, Amandava amandava has been evaluated. Male birds (n = 8/group) were exposed to each of the pesticide (0.25% LD₅₀ of respective pesticide) as well as to their two equimixture doses (0.25% of LD₅₀ of each and 0.5% LD₅₀ of each) through food for 30d during pre-breeding stage of the reproductive cycle. Reduction in weight, volume and other histopathological features revealed testicular regression. Suppression of gonadotropin releasing hormone, increased expression of gonadotropin inhibitory hormone in the hypothalamus of exposed groups as well as impairment of plasma levels of the reproduction related hormones indicated the disruption of the HPG axis. The pesticides interference of the thyroid function during the critical phase of reproductive development impaired the HPG axis; more significantly in co-exposed groups suggesting the cumulative toxicity.
Disruption of thyroxine and sex hormones by 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (DBE-DBCH) in American kestrels (Falco sparverius) and associations with reproductive and behavioral changes
2017, Environmental Research
Citation Excerpt :
With respect to the thyroid pathway, reproduction in vertebrates is partially governed by thyroid hormones, including the balance between estrogens and androgens (Duarte-Guterman et al., 2014). For males specifically, thyroid hormones control testicular development (and hence T output) by negative feedback, including seasonal growth in birds (Thapliyal and Gupta, 1984; Gupta and Thapliyal, 1986) such as kestrels. By this mechanism, a hypothyroid state (reduction in T4) causes increased testicular mass (Cooke et al., 1994) followed by increased T in birds (Knowlton et al., 1999), which was the suspected mechanism behind increased circulating T in HBCDD-exposed male kestrels (Marteinson et al., 2011a).
1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (DBE-DBCH - formerly TBECH) is an emerging brominated flame retardant (BFR) pollutant with androgen potentiating ability and other endocrine disrupting effects in birds and fish. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of exposure to environmentally-relevant levels of DBE-DBCH on circulating levels of thyroid and sex steroid hormones in American kestrels, and if hormonal concentrations were related to previously reported changes in reproductive success and courtship behaviors. Sixteen kestrel pairs were exposed to 0.239 ng β-DBE-DBCH/g kestrel/day by diet, based on concentrations in wild bird eggs, from 4 weeks before pairing until the chicks hatched (mean 82 d), and were compared with vehicle-only-exposed control pairs (n=15). As previously reported, DBE-DBCH concentrations were not detected in tissue or eggs of these birds, nor were any potential metabolites, despite the low method limits of detection (≤0.4 ng/g wet weight), suggesting it may be rapidly metabolized and/or eliminated by the kestrels. Nevertheless, exposed kestrels demonstrated changes in reproduction and behavior, indicating an effect from exposure. During early breeding, males were sampled at multiple time points at pairing and during courtship and incubation; females were blood sampled at pairing only; both sexes were sampled at the end of the season. All comparisons are made to control males or control females, and the relative differences in hormone concentrations between treatment and control birds, calculated separately for each sex, are presented for each time point. Males exposed to β-DBE-DBCH demonstrated significantly (p=0.05) lower concentrations of total thyroxine (TT₄) overall, that were 11–28% lower than those of control males at the individual sampling points, yet significantly higher (p=0.03) concentrations of free thyroxine (FT₄), that were 5–13% higher than those of control males at the individual sampling points; females had similar concentrations of TT₄ and FT₄ at the time of pairing, and T₄ was similar in both sexes at the end of the breeding season. Testosterone (T) concentrations in the treatment males were significantly higher during early (85%) and mid-courtship (30%) (time*treatment p=0.001), whereas females demonstrated a reduction in T at the time of pairing (17%, p=0.05). In the treatment females, concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E₂) showed a non-significant decrease (20%) and were positively correlated with T concentrations (p=0.03); E₂ concentrations were below quantification limits in males. For males, some variation in T was also significantly associated with their sexual behavior (p<0.001) and FT₄ concentrations (p=0.01). For females, there was no relationship between hormones measured at pairing and subsequent sexual behaviors or reproductive measures. This study demonstrates that exposure to β-DBE-DBCH at levels that are likely below those experienced by wild birds, affects the thyroid and sex steroid axes in birds and thus may be a contaminant of concern for wildlife warranting further research.
Diet exposure to technical hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) affects testes and circulating testosterone and thyroxine levels in American kestrels (Falco sparverius)
2011, Environmental Research
Citation Excerpt :
Very little is known about how hypothyroidism affects specifically seasonal testicular development in any species. In birds, T4 can suppress this testicular growth by inhibiting cell proliferation at this time (Thapliyal and Gupta, 1984). As such, mild experimentally induced hypothyroidism during seasonal testicular recrudescence in the spotted munia (Estrilda amandava) caused larger testis volume earlier in the breeding season (Gupta and Thapliyal, 1986), confirming that this stage can be sensitive to thyroid disruption.
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a high-production-volume, brominated flame-retardant that is used in items such as polystyrene foams. HBCD has been detected in the environment, wildlife tissues and in humans globally with some of the highest recorded levels in predatory birds. This study examined the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant levels of HBCD on the reproductive physiology of captive male American kestrels (Falco sparverius), a predatory bird. Two sets of males were used: one group not housed with females (unpaired: n_c=12, n_HBCD=10) and the second group housed with females (breeding: n_c=10, n_HBCD=20). All treatment birds were exposed to 0.51 μg HBCD/g kestrel/day technical HBCD, and controls to safflower oil only, injected into their food during seasonal testicular development. Unpaired males were exposed for 3 weeks and euthanized for testicular analysis. Breeding males were exposed for 3 weeks prior to pairing and throughout the courtship period. The HBCD-exposed unpaired males had heavier testes (p≤0.017) and a trend towards more seminiferous tubules containing elongated spermatids (p=0.052). There was also a moderate increase in plasma testosterone concentrations (p=0.056) compared to controls. In breeding males, testosterone levels increased during courtship to culminate in higher levels than controls by the time the first egg was laid (p=0.010) and circulating free and total T₄ was reduced throughout. The number of sperm cells reaching the perivitelline layer of the first egg for breeding males did not differ between the two groups. This study is the first report that HBCD exposure at environmentally relevant levels alters reproductive physiology in male birds and suggests that birds may be more sensitive to HBCD than mammals.
Yolk androgens as pleiotropic mediators of physiological processes: A mechanistic review
2008, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - A Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Avian egg yolks are made up of complex mixtures of physiologically relevant substances. Androgens, in particular, accumulate in yolks in variable amounts based on social and environmental conditions experienced by laying females, and using experimental elevations of yolk androgen content, researchers have unveiled potent physiological and behavioral effects on offspring. These patterns and effects are exciting in an adaptive context, as the transfer of endogenously-produced substances such as androgens to egg yolks may allow fine manipulation of offspring phenotype to maximize reproductive success. However, to gain an in-depth understanding of how yolk androgens function in an adaptive context, we must first understand the complex entanglement of physiological and endocrine interrelationships that change after exposure to yolk androgens. Here, we take a comparative approach towards a discussion of how yolk androgens can simultaneously affect multiple body systems within developing birds, ultimately resulting in the large-scale phenotypic endpoints that may represent adaptive consequences of exposure to elevated levels of yolk androgens.
Nitric oxide modulates gonadal and adrenal function in Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica
2007, General and Comparative Endocrinology
Citation Excerpt :
Further, inspite of some exceptions, in general, pinealectomy upregulates and melatonin down regulates reproductive axis (Maitra et al., 2002; Underwood et al., 2001). However, the role of thyroid varies in different species and also depends more or less on the reproductive phase of annual gonadal cycle (Thapliyal and Gupta, 1984; Dawson and Thapliyal, 2002; Wingfield et al., 2003). Moreover, it is also established that these extrinsic and/or intrinsic factors induce their reproductive effects through hypothalamo–hypophyseal axis either directly or through higher brain centre(s).
Nitric oxide (NO) a gaseous neurotransmitter is reported to play an important role in controlling the release of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) in mammalian system. But its role has not been investigated in birds, where photoperiod plays an important role in regulating gonadal development. To investigate the effect of NO on gonadal and adrenal function of Japanese quail, in the first experiment, 3-weeks-old sexually immature quail received NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 5 mg/100 g body weight) orally or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor N-nitro l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 25 μg/100 g body weight) intraperitoneally for 13 days in continuous condition of light (LL). Thereafter treated quail along with their respective controls were shifted to long day length (LD 16:8) for 21 days when the study was terminated. Results indicate that SNP treatment stimulated and L-NAME suppressed body weight, cloacal gland volume (an androgen dependent sex accessory organ), testes (gonado-somatic index, spermatogenesis), epididymis (histology) and adrenal (weight, histology, cortico-medullary ratio) function as well as total nitrite and nitrate concentration in plasma, hypothalamus and testes. In the second experiment, two groups of 3-weeks-old birds were maintained in short day length (LD 6:18) or long day length (LD 16:8) for 5 weeks to induce gonadal suppression and stimulation, respectively. Thereafter birds of both the photoperiod were divided into two subgroups, the short day quail receiving normal saline (SD Con) or SNP (SD + SNP) while long day quail received normal saline (LD Con) or L-NAME (LD + L-NAME) for 13 days and were maintained in their respective photoperiods, until the termination of study (21 days post treatment period). SNP stimulated all the parameters even in short day condition and L-NAME suppressed in long day quail compared to their respective controls. These findings indicate positive control of NO on the gonad and adrenal function of Japanese quail which exhibits parallel adrenal–gonad relationship. Further, NO donor induces long day effects while NOS inhibitor mimics short day effects. It is concluded that NO may not only regulate hypothalamo–hypophyseal–gonadal and -adrenal axis of Japanese quail but may also modulate its photosexual responses.
Sulfamethazine advances puberty in male chicks by effecting a rapid increase in gonadotropins
2004, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - A Molecular and Integrative Physiology
A sulfonamide, sulfamethazine (SMZ) has been shown to have a robust, progonadal effect. The mechanism of action of SMZ, however, is unknown. Our hypothesis is that the compound may act centrally and/or at the level of the pituitary. Four experiments were completed to test that hypothesis. Chicks exposed to a continuous photoperiod and fed a diet containing 0.2% SMZ showed an exponential increase in testes size. When 6 weeks of age (5 weeks on the SMZ diet), experimentals had testes weight nine times heavier than controls. Profiles for thyroid and gonadotropin plasma hormones suggested that T₃ was transiently lower in experimentals solely during the first week on treatment, while thyroxine levels were not different from controls. In contrast, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were significantly elevated at the initial 1-week sampling point and remained elevated throughout the entire experiment. In a follow-up study, LH was found significantly higher than controls by 48 h after initially consuming the compound. When T₃ was added to the SMZ diet at 0.5 ppm, the progonadal effect of SMZ was attenuated. Importantly, chronic intake of T₃ delayed but did not block the stimulatory effect of SMZ for increasing plasma LH. We conclude that since one of the primary effects of SMZ is to increase rapidly plasma gonadotropins, data suggest the compound is acting at the level of the brain or pituitary to stimulate early gonadal development in chicks.

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General and Comparative Endocrinology

Abstract

References (35)

External and internal components of the mechanism controlling reproductive cycles in drakes

Thyroidectomy and gonadal development in common myna, Acridotheres tristis

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol

Thyroid-gonad and thyroid-body weight relationship in red-vented bulbul, Molpestes cafer

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol

Role of thyroid in the response of bill pigmentation to male hormone of house sparrow, Passer domesticus

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol

Reproduction in birds

Seasonal changes in the activity of the thyroid glands and its interaction with testicular function in the pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol

Thyroid in avian reproduction

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. Suppl

The adenohypophysis

Sex and secondary sexual characters

The peripheral endocrine glands

Adaptive aspects of endocrine regulations in birds

The cycle in the gambel sparrow

Univ. Calif. Berkeley Publ. Zool

Avian pigmentation

Photoperiodism and sexual activity in Indian birds

The effects of thyroidal hormones on the ovarian response to photoperiod in a tropical finch (Ploceus philippinus)

Gen. Comp. Endocrinol

Annual endocrine cycles in temperate-zone birds with special attention to the white-crowned sparrow, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii

The natural termination of the refractory period in the white-crowned sparrow

Condor

Cited by (19)

Thyroid disrupting pesticides impair the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis of a wildlife bird, Amandava amandava

Disruption of thyroxine and sex hormones by 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (DBE-DBCH) in American kestrels (Falco sparverius) and associations with reproductive and behavioral changes

Diet exposure to technical hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) affects testes and circulating testosterone and thyroxine levels in American kestrels (Falco sparverius)

Yolk androgens as pleiotropic mediators of physiological processes: A mechanistic review

Nitric oxide modulates gonadal and adrenal function in Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

Sulfamethazine advances puberty in male chicks by effecting a rapid increase in gonadotropins