Light influences which of the following in females?

Light plays a crucial role in regulating the estrous cycle in females, particularly in seasonal breeders. The changes in photoperiod—meaning the amount of daylight versus darkness—can trigger hormonal changes that influence reproductive cycles. In many species, the length of daylight can affect the production of melatonin, which in turn can impact the secretion of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are essential for the control of the estrous cycle, which governs the timing of ovulation and receptivity to mating.

Other factors, while important in different contexts, are less directly impacted by light in the way that the estrous cycle is. For example, growth rate, feeding behavior, and health status are influenced by a variety of factors including nutrition, genetics, and environmental conditions, but they do not have the same direct relationship with light as the estrous cycle does. Thus, light's primary influence is distinctly tied to the reproductive processes in females.