Brian Follett #

Research Interests

Reproduction. Annual breeding in many organisms is driven by the photoperiod so as to occur at the optimal season of the year. Brian Follett's research investigated the underlying physiology of this phenomenon in birds (using Japanese quail as the “model” species but also starlings, seagulls, albatrosses) and in mammals (sheep and hamsters). He focused upon (a) how and where daylight is detected (brain photoreceptors in birds, the eye in mammals), (b) the nature of the circadian-based clock that measures photoperiod and (c) the neural and neuroendocrine chain within the brain leading to increased secretion of gonadotrophins from the pituitary gland and hence gonadal development.