Nocturnal increase in pineal melatonin production in two lemming species, Dicrostonyx hudsonius and D. groenlandicus

R J Reiter; J M Guerrero; C Santana

doi:10.1016/0016-6480(90)90019-i

Nocturnal increase in pineal melatonin production in two lemming species, Dicrostonyx hudsonius and D. groenlandicus

Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1990 May;78(2):322-5. doi: 10.1016/0016-6480(90)90019-i.

Authors

R J Reiter¹, J M Guerrero, C Santana

Affiliation

¹ Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7762.

PMID: 2191892
DOI: 10.1016/0016-6480(90)90019-i

Abstract

Pineal N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and melatonin levels and thyroxine 5'-deiodinase (5'D) activity in brown adipose tissue (BAT) were compared during the day and night in two species of lemmings, Dicrostonyx hudsonius and D. groenlandicus. In both species, NAT and melatonin exhibited significant night-time increases in the pineal gland. Thyroxine 5'D activity in BAT did not show a statistically significant day-night difference in either species of lemming, suggesting the night-time rise in melatonin does not induce a similar increase in BAT 5'D.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Acetyltransferases / metabolism
Adipose Tissue / metabolism
Animals
Arvicolinae / metabolism*
Circadian Rhythm*
Female
Iodide Peroxidase / physiology
Male
Melatonin / biosynthesis*
Pineal Gland / metabolism*

Substances

Iodide Peroxidase
Acetyltransferases
Melatonin