Effect of increased photoperiod on hormone concentrations in thoroughbred stallions

Stallions on two Central Kentucky farms (9/farm) were studied during the 1980 breeding season. On one farm stallions were exposed to an increased photoperiod (16 h light/day) from 1 December 1979; on the second farm the stallions were maintained in an ambient photoperiod. On the basis of matings per conception (total mating/mares in foal) stallions on each farm were assigned to a high fertility (1 . 9-2 . 4 matings per conception, N = 4) or low fertility (2 . 6-5 . 6 matings per conception, N = 5) group. Exposure of stallions to increased photoperiod significantly increased serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), androstenedione, testosterone and oestrone by the start of the breeding season (16 February) while concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta and total oestrogens were similar in the two groups. LH was the only hormone significantly affected by the fertility of stallions, with LH concentrations consistently higher in the 'increased light-high fertility' stallions compared to the low basal concentration observed in the other 3 groups during the early breeding season (16 Feb.-31 March). FSH concentrations were not significantly affected by photoperiod or fertility, but appeared to be consistently higher in the 'increased light-high fertility' stallions than in the 'increased light-low fertility' stallions. The 'increased light-high fertility' stallions were mated to more mares than were stallions in the other 3 groups and differences in LH and FSH concentrations may therefore have been confounded with frequency of mating. Seasonal conception rates were unaffected by increased photoperiod.