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Science 27 October 1972:
Vol. 178. no. 4059, pp. 421 - 423
DOI: 10.1126/science.178.4059.421
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Articles

Eyes Have a Role in Photoperiodic Control of Sexual Activity of Coturnix

K. Homma 1, W. O. Wilson 2, and T. D. Siopes 2

1 Department of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan 113
2 Department of Avian Sciences, University of California, Davis 95616

In blinded Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) encephalic photoreception of the stimulus from long photoperiods is sufficient to induce and maintain normal gonadal function in females (egg laying) and in males (enlargement of the cloacal gland). However, the termination of sexual activity by short days is dependent on these birds having experienced long days at the time of blinding.

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)