The endogenous rhythm of plasma melatonin and its regulation by light in the highveld mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae): a microphthalmic, seasonally breeding rodent

Journal of Pineal Research
G H GutjahrNigel C Bennett

Abstract

The day- and night-time levels of plasma melatonin were measured in adult male and female highveld mole-rats, Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae. This study aimed to assess whether melatonin secretion in this nocturnal, strictly subterranean but seasonally breeding rodent has a day-night rhythm and whether that rhythm is circadian and can be modified by photoperiod. In experiment 1, a day-night rhythm of plasma melatonin was found in all animals housed on a 12L:12D schedule, with significantly higher concentrations in the dark (D) compared with the light (L) phase. The increment of plasma melatonin concentration at night was the same on days 1 and 2 for animals in the control group and animals transferred to constant dark. The animals transferred to constant light substantially reduced the amplitude of the melatonin rhythm on day 2. This suggests that the endogenous melatonin rhythm in C. h. pretoriae has a circadian pattern, which can be synchronized by photoperiod and inhibited by exposure to light at night. In experiment 2, the concentration of plasma melatonin in animals kept under 14L:10D (long day, LD) conditions differed significantly from animals on 10L:14D (short day, SD). This finding supports the notion that C. h. preto...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1991·The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·A Menendez-PelaezR J Reiter
Aug 1, 1991·Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology·R J Reiter
Dec 24, 1997·Journal of Biological Rhythms·T A Wehr
Dec 12, 2003·Journal of Biological Rhythms·Maria K OosthuizenNigel C Bennett

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 22, 2010·Chronobiology International·Maria K OosthuizenHoward M Cooper
Nov 26, 2010·Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy·Adhil BhagwandinPaul R Manger
Apr 6, 2017·EBioMedicine·Jing LuDick F Swaab

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.