Photoperiodic regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis in a tropical rodent, Funambulus pennanti: role of melatonin and MT1

To elucidate the role of photoperiodically modulated endogenous melatonin and its receptor MT1 in the ovary of a diurnal rodent, adult Indian palm squirrel Funambulus pennanti were exposed to Short Day (SD; 16L:8D) and Long Day (LD; 16L:8D) and compared with natural day controls (NDL; 12L:12D). Plasma 17-β estradiol level was significantly low in SD group while expression of StAR, P450SCC, 17-β HSD, and aromatase showed significant...