CARD International Journal of Medical Science and Applied Biosciences (IJMSAB) ISSN: 2536-7331 (Print): 2536-734x (Online) Volume 2, Number 3, September 2017 http://www.casirmediapublishing.com

Effect of Thyroxine and Testosterone on Body Weight and Gonad of Gonadectomized and Chemically Thyroidectomized Male Rain , coromandelica

1Anjali Srivastava, 1Eshita Pandey & 2Sabina Khanam 1Department of Zoology, D.G. College, Kanpur, 2Department of Biological Sciences, Yobe State University, Nigeria Email: [email protected] Corresponding Author: Sabina Khanam

ABSTRACT The role of thyroid may vary with species sex and phase of the annual cycle. We investigated in the present work the effects of thyroxine and testosterone on body weight and gonad in gonadectomized and chemically thyroidectomized male Rain (Coturnix coromandelica) for a period of ten days. Body weight decreased sig- nificant in chemically thyroidectomized treated with testosterone. In intact and chemically thyroidectomized groups significant reduction in testis weight was found in sub-group B and C when compared to control sub-group. Keywords: Testosterone, Rain Quail, Body weight, Thyroxine

INTRODUCTION or delayed gonadal regression in In birds despite variations in the the European starling thyroid gonad relationship in dif- (Woitkewitsch, 1940; Wieselthier ferent species, very little is known and Van Tienhoven, 1972; Nicho- about the relative roles of the gon- las, et al., 1984) and in several trop- ads and the thyroid in reproduc- ical species (Thapliyal, 1969; tion (Assenmacher, 1973; Chaturvedi and Thapliyal, 1983) Thapliyal, 1981). In fowl and duck, provided that the operations were a certain minimum level of thyroid carried out prior to hormone is necessary for the photostimulation on long day- growth of the body, maturation of lengths. the juvenile gonad and even for the normal functioning of the It is quite likely that the increasing adult gonad (Turner, 1959; Hohn, day length of spring prepares the 1961), birds physiologically bringing them into a ready state from The role of thyroid may vary with where they can migrate as soon as species sex and phase of the annu- appropriate temperature is al cycle. Thyroidectomy inhibited reached. Such integration of envi-

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Effect of Thyroxine and Testosterone on Body Weight and Gonad of Gonadectomized and Chemically Thyroidectomized Male Rain Quail, Coturnix coromandelica ronmental cues has been shown in sibility of diverse mechanisms for tropical birds e.g. of photoperiod spring and autumn migration. In and rainfall in baya weaver redheaded buntings artificial (Chandola Saklaini et al., 1990). photostomulation enhanced monoidination of T4 (Pant and In few species, the annual testos- Chandola Saklani, 1993). terone and thyroid cycles have been observed to exhibit almost However, while the influence of opposite patterns, with thyroid short and long term thyroidecto- hormone cycles occurring at their my on gonads and body weight of lowest levels during the annual a number of birds is known reproductive phase and at their (Henrick and Turner, 1966; peak levels during hibernaton, as Thapliyal, 1969, 1980, 1981; in the Richardson ground squirel, Thapliyal, et al., 1968; Wieselthier Spermophilus richardsonil and Van Tienhoven, 1972; (Demeniex and Henderson, 1978; Chandola, et al., 1973, 1974; Winston and Henderson, 1981) Thapliyal and Chaturvedi, 1976; and the ground squirrel Citellus Chaturvedi and Thapliyal, 1979), tridecemlineatus (Berges, 1981). information on the effects of On the other hand, thyroid and thyroxine and testosterone on testosterone cycles have also been quails is still scanty, therefore, it is shown to follow strictly parallel of interest to examine more closely patterns with an annual peak for the nature of thyroid-gondal inter- plasma thyroxine during the re- actions, we investigated in the productive season in the edible present work the effects of dormouse Glis glis (Jallageas and thyroxine and testosterone on Assenmacher, 1983). body weight and gonad in gonadectomized and chemically In many seasonally breeding tem- thyroidectomized male Rain quails perate zone birds, the annual in- (Coturnix coromandel ica) for a crease in day length (photoperiod) period of ten days. is the primary proximate factor used to initiate reproductive de- MATERIAL AND METHODS velopment (Dawson et al., 2001; Male Rain quails were procured Ramenofsky et al., 1992) studying locally and were accustomed in an the foraging ecology, harmonal aviary for about a fortnight. After and metabolic aspects of migration the period of acclimatization forty- in dark eyed juncos (Junco five birds of birds of approximate- hyemales) also suggested the pos- ly same body weight wee sorted

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CARD International Journal of Medical Science and Applied Biosciences (IJMSAB) Volume 2, Number 3, September 2017 out from the stock, tagged and di- the last injection. After measuring vided into three groups of fifteen the testis size in situ (Group I and birds each according to the exper- III), testes were carefully separated imental schedule. First group was and weighted to the nearest mg. kept as intact group. Birds of The weight of the testis of control group 11 were castrated. Birds of and experimental groups, were group III were treated with analyzed by standard statistical antithyroid drug Neomercazole methods ('t' test). Body weight and and a tablet (5 mg.) was implanted gonad volume were compared subcutaneously in the nape region post treatment vs. pre-treatment in of neck near thyroid gland. Birds all the sub-groups. of all three main groups were sub- divided into three subgroups of RESULTS five birds each. Table-1 shows the tabular and graphical representation of mean Sub group A which served as con- body weight of different groups. trol was treated with 0.1 ml vehi- Body weight decreased signifi- cle (0.1% normal saline). The other cantly (P>0.005) in chemically sub-group was injected intramus- thyroidectomized birds treated cularly with tghyroxine with testosterone. Thyroxine and (Thyroxine T2 sigma T-2257) in a testosterone inhibited the increase dosage of 0.1 mg//day in 0.1 in body weight following castra- ml. normal saline. Sub-group C tion, chemical thyroidectomy and was treated with testosterone in normal intact birds (Table 1). (Aquavieron) in a dosage of 0.3 Marginally significant (P>0.025) mg/bird/day. Each bird received a degrease was found in castrated total dose of 3 mg. testosterone in birds treated weight vehicle and ten days. thyroxine. In other groups body weight was not altered significant- The injections were given around ly (Table 1) 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. for ten days. All birds were examined at the be- Group – II ginning and the end of the exper- Thyroxine and Testosterone affects iment. At each observation all body weight (Pre and Post treat- birds were weighed individually ment) and testis volume (Pre and to the narest gm. and by explora- Post treatment) of male Rain quail, tory laparatomy size of the left tes- Coturnix-coromandelica. Vertical tis was measured in situ. The birds bars indicate . Vertical bars indi- were sacrificed the day following cate + SE of the mean values. Fig-

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Effect of Thyroxine and Testosterone on Body Weight and Gonad of Gonadectomized and Chemically Thyroidectomized Male Rain Quail, Coturnix coromandelica ures in parentheses denote num- et al., 2000). ber of birds in each group. Group II consist of castrated birds. Signif- In Rufous-Winged sparrows sea- icance Pre Vs. Post treatment. sonal changes in photoperiod are not reflected in marked changes in Testis Volume plasma LH secretion (Deviche et In all the three sub-groups of in- al., 2006). tact and chemically thyroidectomized group highly DISCUSSION significant (P > 0.005) decrease in One of the chief aims of the pre- the testis volume was found after sent study was to explore the pos- treatment (Table 1) thyroxide was sible occurrence of thyroid-testis found to be most gonado- interactions. Extensive experimen- inhibitory. Birds treated with tes- tation in birds has certainly pro- tosterone also showed inhibition duced evidence that reciprocal in- but the extent of inhibition was hibitory interaction between thy- much less than the thyroxine in- roid and testosterone secretion is a jected birds, although the dose of basic mechanism determining the testosterone administered was timing of both the sexual and thrice of thyroxine that has been molting cycles (Assenmacher and administered to the experimental Jallageas, 1980). Fairly similar tes- birds. tis-thyroid interaction appears to prevail in the European badger Testis Weight (Maurel, et al., 1977), the red fox In intact and chemically (Maurel and Boissin, 1981) and the thyroidectomized groups signifi- mink (Boissin-Agassee, et al., cant reduction in testis weight was 1981), since they all exhibit testis found in sub-group B (P > 0.01 and and thyroid cycles with inversed P > 0.005) and C (P > 0.005) when phases. compared to control sub-group. In many species of birds, environ- Thyroid hormone administration mental information initiates re- causes gonadal collapse productive development prior to (Thapliyal, 1969, 1978, 1981) and the onset of optimal conditions for gonadal stimulation raising offspring while other envi- (Assenmacher, 1973; Lal and ronmental information regulates Thapliyal 1982) in a number of the specific timing of reproductive avian species. behaviour and the eventual termi- In common myna testicular devel- nation of reproduction (Wingfield opment is inhibited by L-thyroxine

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CARD International Journal of Medical Science and Applied Biosciences (IJMSAB) Volume 2, Number 3, September 2017

(Chaturvedi and Thapliyal, 1979). mones have no effect in the edible The similar inhibition of gonadal dormouse (Jallageas and development by thyroidectomy Assenmacher, 1986). The effects of and L-thyroxine has been reported testosterone and L-thyroxine on in male weaver bird and domestic the gonads and body weight of duck (Thapliyal) and Garg, 1969; thyroidectomized and Jallageas and Assenmacher, 1974). orchidectomized spotted munia have been reported in which thy- Results obtained from the present roid-gonad relationship is inverse experiment demonstrate that in and thyroid activity is influenced male Rain quails thyroxine and neither by castration nor by ad- testosterone had significant inhibi- ministration of testosterone tory effect on gonads. Both the (Chandola and Thapliyal, 1973). hormones inhibited a increase in testis volume and weight. It was Non-photoperiodic environmental found that chemical thyroidecto- signals also influence the timing of my followed by thyroxine treat- reproduction in birds. These sig- ment leads to a marked decrease nals include temperature (Perfito in gonad size and weight. Body et al., 2005; Wingfield et al., 2003) weight decreased after treatments food availability humidity rain in all the sub-groups. (Zann et al., 1995).

Administration of L-T4 reduces Administration of L-thyroxine re- body weight in wild bird versed the gonado-stimulatory ef- (Thapliyal, 1980a, 1981). The body fect of thyroidectomy and the weight of chemically gonads regressed as in normal thyroidectomized jungle Bush birds. Unlike developing and de- qualis decreased in all the groups veloped gonads of intact and (Srivastava and Saxena, 1979). In thyroidectomized birds (Thapliyal, common myna, Acridotheres 1969), regressing gonads did not tristis, House sparrow, passer respond to exogenous L-thyroxine. domesticus and vented bulbul, Similar results have also been ob- Molopastes Cafer administration tained in lal Munia, Estrilda of L-T4 decrease the body weight amandava (Thapliyal and Gupta, (Thapliyal, 1981). In Bunting mild 1984). It seems that during the late hyperthyroidism exerts beneficial regressive phase high levels of en- effects (Lal, 1982). dogenous thyroid hormones (Thapliyal, 1969; Chandola and Thyroidectomy and thyroid hor- Thapliyal, 1974) were sufficient to

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Effect of Thyroxine and Testosterone on Body Weight and Gonad of Gonadectomized and Chemically Thyroidectomized Male Rain Quail, Coturnix coromandelica cause rapid regression of gonads endocrine regulation in and exogenous L-thyroxine be- birds. In Hormones, Adap- come superflous. Thus it may be tation and Evolution (S. suggested that the antigonadal ef- Ishii, t. Hirano and M. fect of L-thyroxine (Thapliyal, Wads Eds.) PP. 93-102. Ja- 1980a) in addition to other factors pan Sci. Soc. Press, To- depends upon gonadal status and kyo/Springer-Verlag, Berlin. thyroid activity of the birds. Berges, R., (1981): "Cycles Eason- Testosterone, depending on the niers do la function testicu- gonadal status of birds at the time laire cheq deux hibernants: of injection or implantation and Le Le rot Eliomys quercinus the dose administered, may stimu- L etc. Spermophile Citellus late, inhibit or produce no effect tn decemlinetus Leur regu- on testicular activity (Lofts and lation par la temperature Murton, 1973; Thapliyal, 1981). ambiante, P-105. These Doc- But so far the thyroid-gonad rela- torate 3e Cycle, Liniversite tionship and the level of thyroid Toulouse. activity have not been taken into account while considering the im- Boissin-Agassee, L., Maurel, D. pact of testosterone treatment on and Boissin, J. (1981): Sea- gondal activity (Thapliyal, 1981). sonal variations in In the red headed bunting testos- thyroxine and testosterone terone reversed completely the ill levels in relation to the effect of thyroidectomy by acting moult in the adult male directly at gonads (Thapliyal, et al., mink (Vinstela vison peale 1983b). and Beauvois). Canad J. Zool. 59, 1062-1066. REFERENCES Assenmacher, I. (1973): The pe- Chandola, A. and Thapliyal, J.P. ripheral endocrine glands (1973): Gonadal hormones in "Avian Biology" (D.S. and thyroid function in Farner J.R. King and K.C. spotted munia, Lonchura Parker eds.) Vol. III, PP. punctualata, Gen. Comp. 183-286. Academic Press, Endoccrinol 121, 305-313. New York, London. Chandola, A., Thapliyal, J.P. and Assenmacher, I. and Jallageas, M. Murty, G.S.R.C. (1973): (1980): Adaptive aspects of Photoperiodism and sexual

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activity in Indian birds: In Demeneix, B.A. and Henderson, "UNESCO International N.E. (1978a): Serum T4 and Congress". The sun in the T3 in active and torpid service of Mankind, 2-6 Ju- ground squirrels ly, Paris B-14, 1-10. Spermophilous richardsonii, Gn. Comp. Chandola, A., Thapliyal, J.P. and Endocrinol, 35, 77-85. Pavansakar, J. (1974): The effects of thyroidal hor- Demeneix, B.A. and Henderson, mones on the ovarian re- N.E. (1978b): Thyroxine me- sponse to photoperiod in a tabolism in active and Tor- tropical finch, Ploceus pid ground squirrels. Gen. philippinus Gen. Comp. Comp. Endocrinol. 35, 86- Endocrinol 24, 437-447. 92.

Chandola-Saklani A, Sharma, Deviche, P., Small T., Sharp P.J., K.K., Bisht M. and Lakhela Tsutsui K., 2006: Control of P. 1990: Ecophysiology of luteinizing hormone and seasonal reproduction in testosterone secretion in a the photorefractory period flexibly breeding male pas- in the starling. Sturnis vul- serine, the Rufous-winged garis. J. Exp. Zool. 179, 331- Sparrow. Aimophila 338. carpalis. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 149, 226-235. Chaturvedi, C.M. and Thapliyal, J.P. (1979): Thyroidetomy Hendrick, Cc.E. and Turner, C.W. and gonadal development (1966): Effect of radio- in common myna, Gen. thyroidectomy and various Comp. Endocrinol. 39, 327- replacement levels of 329. thyroxine on growth, organ and gland weights of Cor- Chaturvedi, C.M. and Thapliyal, nish Cross Chickens. Gen. J.P. (1983): Thyroid, photo- Comp. Edocrinol 7, 411-419. period and gonadal regres- Jallageas, M. and Assenmacher, A. sion in the common myna, (1974): Thyroid gonadal in- Acridotheres tristis Gen. teractions in the male do- Comp. Endocrinol., 52: 279- mestic duck in relationship 282. with the sexual cycle. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol 22; 13-20.

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and Dawson, a. (1984): Jallageas, M. and Assenmacher, I. Photorefractoriness in Eu- (1983): Annual plasma tes- ropean starling: Associated tosterone and thyroxine cy- hypothalamic changes and cles in relation to hiberna- the involvement of thyroid tion in the Edible dormouse hormones and prolactin. J. Glis glis. Gen. Comp. Exp. Zool. 232: 567-572. Endocrinol 50, 452-462. Perfito N; Meddle S.L., Tramontin Jallageas, M. and Assenmacher, I. A.D., Sharp P.J., Wingfield (1986): Effects of castration J.C., 2005: Seasonal gonadal and thyroidectomy on the recrudescence in song spar- annual biological cycles of rows: response to tempera- the Edible dormouse Glis, ture cues. Gen. Comp. glis. Gen. Comp. Endocrinal Endocrinol 143, 121-128. 63, 301-308. Thapliyal J.P., Lal, P., Pati, A.K. Maurel, D. and Boissin, J. (1981): and Gupta, B.B.P. (1983): Plasma thyroxine and tes- Thyroid and gonad in the tosterone levels in the red oxidative metabolism, fox (Vulpes Vulpes L), dur- erythropoiesis and light re- ing the annual cycle. Gen. sponse of migratory red Comp. Endocrinol 43, 402- headed bunting, Emberiza 404. bruniceps to long photoper- iod Gen. Comp. Endocrinol Maurel, D., Joffre, J., and Boissin, J. 51. 444-453. (1977): cycle annual de la testosterone emic et della Thapliyal, J.P. (1968): Body weight thyroxine mie chezlle top- cycles of the spotted Munia, ics: The Baya weaver. in Uoroloncha punctulata. Endocrinology of birds: Proc. Natl. Inst. Sci., India Molecular to behavioural No. 36, 154. (eds) M. Wada, S. Ischii and C.G. Scanes (Tokyo: Japan Thapliyal, J.P. (1969): Thyroid in Sci. Soc. Press and Berlin: avian reproduction Gen. Springer- Verlag) PP-207- Comp. Endocrinol. Suppl. 224. 2, 111-122.

Nicholas, T.J., goldsmith, A.R., Thapliyal, J.P. (1978): Reproduc-

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tion in Indian birds, Vol. 16, Thapliyal, J.P., and Chaturvedi, Nos 1 and 2 PP 151-161. C.M. (1976). Effect of thy- Thapliyal, J.P. (1978): Reproduc- roidectomy and replace- tion in Indian birds. PAVU ment therapy on the adren- 16. 191-201. al and testes in myna, Acridotheres testis. Ann. Thapliyal, J.P. (1980): Thyroid in Endocrinol 37, 437-448. reptiles and birds. In "Hor- mones Adaptation and Evo- Wieselthier, A.S. and Van. lution" (S.Ishii, T. Hirano, Tienhoven, A. (1972): The and M. Wada, Eds, PP. 241- effect of thyroidectomy on 250. Japan Sci. Soc. Press. testicular size and on the Tokyo and Springer verlag, blaireau european Berlin. (Melesmele, L.) C.R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) Ser. D. 284, 1577- Thapliyal, J.P. (1981): Presidential 1580. address: Endocrinology of avian reproduction. In Wingfield J.C., Hahn T.P., Maney "proceedings, 68th Session D.L., Schocch S.J., Wada M., Indian Science Congress Morton M.L., 2003. Effects section of zoology, Ento- of temperature on mology and fisheries" pp. 1- photoperiodically induced 30. reproductive development, circulating plasma luteiniz- Thapliyal, J.P. and Garg, R.K. ing hormone and thyroid (1967): Thyroidectomy in hormones, body mass, fat the Juvenile of the Chest deposition and moult in nut bellied munia. Munia mountain White-crowned atricapilla Endocerin. 52, 75. Sparrows, Zonotrichia, Leucophrys oriantha Gen. Thapliyal, J.P. and Gupta, B.B.P. Comp. Endocrinol. 131. 143- (1984): Thyroid and the an- 158. nual gonad development, Woitkewitsch, A.A., (1940): De- body weight, plumage pendence of seasonal peri- pigmentation and bill color odicity in gonadal changes cycles of Lal munia Estrilda on the thyroid gland in amandava. Gen. Comp. sturnus vulgaris L.C.R. Endocrinol 55, 20-28. Acad. Sci., U.R.S.S., 27: 741- 745.

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Effect of Thyroxine and Testosterone on Body Weight and Gonad of Gonadectomized and Chemically Thyroidectomized Male Rain Quail, Coturnix coromandelica

Table 1: Effect of Thyroxine and Testosterone on body weight and gonad of intact, chemically thyroidectomized (Neomeraceazole treated) and cas- trated male Rain quall, Coturnis coromandelica for a period of ten days Groups Status of bird Sub- Dose Per Body weight in GMS Testis Volume in MM3 Testis weight in group Bird/day mg/100 gm body weight M±SE Before After Before After Treatment treatment Treatment Treatment

I Intact A 0.1 ml 63.33±3.7 60.43±3.09 77.94±2.29 68.56±4.98** 220.37±13.05 Vehicle *

B 0.1mg 64.10±4.65 62.50±1.89 NS 134.71±4.93 54.74±3.64** 201.01±2.96*** Thyroxine *

C 0.3mg 55.00±1.70 53.50±4.08 NS 66.26±1.75 43.39±3.67** 163.91±11.60*** Testos- * terone

II Caponized A 0.1ml Nor- 65.27±1.76 60.77±3.53 - - - mal Saline

B 0.1mg 59.23±2.76 53.80±3.24 - - - Thyroxine

C 0.3mg Tes- 61.73±2.64 60.00±3.47 NS - - - tosterone

III Chemically A 0.1ml Saline 61.00±2.01 50.83±3.19 NS 49.81±6.24 36.93±2.91** 145.65±17.83 Thyrodectomize * d (Neomercazole B 0.1mg 62.00±2.12 59.57±1.92 NS 74.25±2.50 17.13±4.66** 6.7±8.16*** Treated) Thyroxine *

C 0.3mg 62.60±1.32 54.33±1.42*** 43.50±4.56 23.27±1.40** 72.09±5.26*** Testos- * terone

Values expressed as Mean + SE. P > 0.0025, ***P>0.005, NS = Not Significant

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