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Participation of lighting and the pineal gland in neuroendocrine regulation of the gonads is now recognized. The influence of the pineal on gonadal function in male rats involves action on the hypothalamo—hypophysis and on gonadotrophins (Fraschini, Mess & Martini, 1968; Debeljuk, 1969). Direct pineal—gonadal inter-relation has also been postulated since melatonin appears to inhibit steroid biotransformations in vitro (Ellis, 1969).

The effects of light restriction and melatonin administration on accessory sex gland weight and fructose content and incorporation of tritiated thymidine into testicular DNA, as indices of testis function, have been studied in two strains of rat. Effects of pinealectomy were investigated in one strain of rat.

Four groups of seven rats (24–26 days of age) were housed individually at 21 ± 1°. Control animals were exposed to a light:dark (L:D) cycle of 16:8 hr. and light-restricted animals received L:D 1:23 hr. for 24 days. A third group of animals