Molecular characterization of circannual interval timing in the preoptic area and anteroventral periventricular nucleus in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus).

Transcriptome sequencing and physiological measurements in adult male Djungarian hamsters exposed to simulated circannual intervals.

“Here we used transcriptome sequencing coupled with measurements of surface body temperature and testes mass across a simulated circannual interval timer to characterize the molecular changes involved in the seasonal control of reproduction and surface body temperature.”

Adult male Djungarian hamsters.

“Adult male Djungarian hamsters were collected after exposure to short photoperiod on 4‐week intervals from 4 to 32 weeks.”

Exposure to short photoperiod for 4 to 32 weeks with collections at 4-week intervals.

“Adult male Djungarian hamsters were collected after exposure to short photoperiod on 4‐week intervals from 4 to 32 weeks.”

Weighted gene co-expression network analyses identified hundreds of transcripts associated with testes mass in the POA and AvPv.

“Weighted gene co‐expression network analyses (WGCNAs) identified hundreds (POA: 211, AvPv: 415) of transcripts that were associated with testes mass.”

Gene set enrichment analysis identified 'gonadotropin secretion' and 'glial cell proliferation' as primary pathways associated with circannual interval timing.

“Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified ‘gonadotropin secretion’ and ‘glial cell proliferation’ as the primary pathways associated with circannual interval timing.”

Weighted gene co-expression network analyses identified 567 transcripts in the POA significantly associated with surface body temperature.

“WGCNAs identified 567 transcripts in the POA that were significantly associated with surface body temperature.”