Long day lengths enhance myelination of midbrain and hindbrain regions of developing meadow voles

Rates of brain growth differed in meadow voles maintained in long (LP) or short (SP) photoperiods postnatally. At 35 days of age, brain weight was greater by 6.6% in LP males and by 4.7% in LP females as compared to their SP counterparts. Whole brain galactolipid content, an index of brain myelin, was greater by 15.6% in LP as compared to SP males. At 70 days of age, brains of LP males were 4% heavier than those of SP males. Differences attributable to photoperiod were most pronounced in midbrain and hindbrain (8% and 14%, respectively). DNA and galactolipid contents were greater by 11% and 15%, respectively, in hindbrain of LP males. Photoperiod did not affect any of these measures in diencephalon, striatum, or cerebellum. Short day lengths reduce myelination in meadow voles, presumably by decreasing proliferation rates of oligodendroglia. This is one facet of a general delay in somatic development associated with being born at the end of the normal breeding season when day lengths are decreasing or below a critical threshold.