This project seeks to characterize the enduring and temporary physiological and behavioral developmental differences among animals born during different seasons of the year, with emphasis on how young animals determine the season of the year and the par- ticular role of the mother in communicating seasonal information. Specific projects include: 1) determining the role of Pre- and postnatal photoperiod on physiological and behavioral development; 2) determining the role of maternal melatonin on development of her offspring; 3) assessing the role of other, non-melatonin factors affected by photoperiod in the mother that in turn influence pup development; 4) determining whether pups born in photoperiods typical of various seasons of the year respond differently to a standard photoperiod postnatally; 5) assessing the functional significance of differences in pup development in litters born to mothers simulating breeders from various seasons of the year; 6) determining the significance and permanence of early fur growth in pups born to mothers housed in winter photoperiods. The proposed work may lead to concepts and interventions that could provide insight into how season of birth alters the incidence of schizophrenia, alcoholism and growth pattern in the human population.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD024575-04
Application #
3325292
Study Section
Biopsychology Study Section (BPO)
Project Start
1988-09-01
Project End
1993-05-31
Budget Start
1991-06-01
Budget End
1993-05-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
791277940
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Parker, Karen J; Lee, Theresa M (2003) Female meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) demonstrate same-sex partner preferences. J Comp Psychol 117:283-9
Parker, Karen J; Lee, Theresa M (2002) Interaction of photoperiod and testes development is associated with paternal care in Microtus pennsylvanicus (meadow voles). Physiol Behav 75:91-5
Parker, K J; Lee, T M (2001) Social and environmental factors influence the suppression of pup-directed aggression and development of paternal behavior in captive meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). J Comp Psychol 115:331-6
Parker, K J; Phillips, K M; Kinney, L F et al. (2001) Day length and sociosexual cohabitation alter central oxytocin receptor binding in female meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Behav Neurosci 115:1349-56
Parker, K J; Kinney, L F; Phillips, K M et al. (2001) Paternal behavior is associated with central neurohormone receptor binding patterns in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Behav Neurosci 115:1341-8
Parker, K J; Lee, T M (2001) Central vasopressin administration regulates the onset of facultative paternal behavior in microtus pennsylvanicus (meadow voles). Horm Behav 39:285-94
Hiebert, S M; Thomas, E M; Lee, T M et al. (2000) Photic entrainment of circannual rhythms in golden-mantled ground squirrels: role of the pineal gland. J Biol Rhythms 15:126-34
Hiebert, S M; Lee, T M; Licht, P et al. (1998) Estradiol phase shifts circannual body mass rhythms of male ground squirrels. Am J Physiol 274:R754-9
Lee, T M; Zucker, I (1995) Seasonal variations in circadian rhythms persist in gonadectomized golden-mantled ground squirrels. J Biol Rhythms 10:188-95
Meek, L R; Lee, T M; Gallon, J F (1995) Interaction of maternal photoperiod history and food type on growth and reproductive development of laboratory meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Physiol Behav 57:905-11

Showing the most recent 10 out of 21 publications