Pineal melatonin: circadian rhythm and variations during the hibernation cycle in the ground squirrel, Spermophilus lateralis

The Journal of Experimental Zoology
T L StantonR J Reiter

Abstract

Variations in pineal melatonin content throughout a 24-hour period and during different phases of the hibernation bout cycle were studied in the golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis). In addition to pineal melatonin, the circadian variation in the activities of pineal N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) were also investigated in summer animals maintained at 22 +/- 2 degrees C, on a light:dark (L:D) schedule of 12:12 hr for 1 month (lights on at 08.00 hr). Pineal glands were collected from six animals in each group at 1200, 1600, 2000, 2400, 0200, 0400, and 0800 hr. Changes in pineal melatonin content during the hibernation bout cycle were investigated in ground squirrels housed at 4 +/- .05 degrees C in relative darkness (1.9-3.4 lux; 10:14 LD). Pineal glands were obtained between 12:00 and 18:00 hr from 30 animals during one of three phases of the cycle (deep hibernation, euthermic interbout, and entrance into hibernation). Pineal melatonin was also measured for comparison in six winter euthermic animals that were housed at 22 +/- 2 degrees C, on a L:D schedule of 10:14 hr. Melatonin was measured in individual pineal glands by radioimmunoassay. The daily melatonin rhythm in...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 24, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Florent G RevelPaul Pévet
Jun 1, 1987·The Journal of Pathology·R S PemsinghG W Scott
Jan 27, 2019·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Matthew T Andrews
Sep 12, 2015·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Christine SchwartzMatthew T Andrews
Mar 23, 2017·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Cecilia E Perez de Lara RodriguezMatthew T Andrews

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