No abstract

6-Methoxybenzoxazolinone (6-MBOA), a compound derivable from some freshly growing plants, is known to stimulate reproduction in some mammals and birds. Winter wheat was studied under controlled laboratory conditions to determine the effects of photoperiod and temperature on derivable 6-MBOA content. Longer photoperiods decrease the amount of derivable 6-MBOA per gram of fresh material in 4-day-old wheat seedlings. Higher temperatures also decrease the amount of derivable 6-MBOA in 4-day-old wheat. 6-MBOA content decreases as the plant ages. Comparisons of only the first centimeter above the seed produced the same age-related result. 6-MBOA is concentrated in the meristematic region with decreasing amounts found in higher portions of the plant. Roots from 9-day-old plants contain 6-MBOA. Unsprouted wheat seeds contain negligible amounts of 6-MBOA. These results demonstrate that environmental variables have a significant effect on derivable 6-MBOA levels, but that under all the regimes studied, 6-MBOA is present in freshly sprouted wheat.

No abstract

The plant derivative, 6-mathoxybenzoxazolinone (6-MBOA), which has been demonstrated to initiate reproduction in field populations of the montane meadow vole (Microtus montanus), was administered via feeding or Silastic capsule implants to mated pairs of laboratory bred M. montanus. The animals remained paired for 120 days, and the number, size, and sex ratios of the resulting litters were recorded. Both the size and frequency of litters were significantly greater in 6-MBOA-treated pairs than in controls. By using implants, it was possible to treat one or both sexes in a mated pair. The positive effects of this compound on litter size and number of litters occurred when the females received implants, which indicates that the male has no influence on these parameters. The most unusual result of these experiments was that 6-MBOA has a significant effect on the sex ratio of the litters. Animals receiving 6-MBOA produced significantly more females than did control pairs. This result occurred regardless of the method of administration, and in the case of the implant studies, regardless of which sex received the active implants. These findings are discussed in relation to the ecology and life history strategy of Microtus montanus.