Plasticity and Inter-individual Variability of Luteinizing Hormone Secretion Rhythm in Red-billed Leiothrix Under the Condition of Variable Temperature
The secretion of birds reproductive endocrine was mainly regulated by photoperiod. The temperature plasticity of birds reproductive endocrine (HPG) secretion rhythm and variation between individuals determined the micro evolution potential of populations adapt to climate change. In this paper, luteinizing hormone(LH) was used as an indicator to study the temperature plasticity of red-billed leiothrix HPG axis secretion rhythm and inter-individual variation. The results showed that: (1) increased temperature can cause elevated activity of red-billed leiothrix LH. (2) There were individual differences between the LH levels of red-billed leiothrix plasma exposing in high and low temperature conditions, and variation of individuals in high temperature was greater than that in low temperature. Some individuals with larger HPG axis plasticity can advance the LH secretion. Additionally, the leiothrix HPG axis activity could be advanced along with the increasing temperature, and this ability was varied between individuals and populations. Therefore, this study provides a reference to investigate the micro evolution potential of birds to adapt to climate change.