Research Note: An in vitro hypothalamic slice culture model from adult geese for investigating light-mediated regulation of avian reproduction

The avian hypothalamus regulates reproduction by integrating light signals through deep brain photoreceptors, yet suitable adult in vitro models remain lacking. In this study, we established a functional hypothalamic slice culture system from adult geese. Slices (300 µm thick) remained viable for over one week. Light exposure, particularly 12 h of light stimulation, significantly upregulated the expression of photoreceptors opn5 and opn4, as well as key signaling genes TSH and DIO2. Meanwhile, important reproductive regulatory genes GnRH and GnIH exhibited opposite expression patterns in response to light. These preliminary findings demonstrate that cultured adult avian hypothalamic slices not only retain photosensitivity and express relevant phototransduction and reproduction-related genes, but also undergo changes consistent with in vivo responses upon external light stimulation. In summary, this model promises to serve as an ideal system for studying photoneuroendocrine regulation.