Light color importance for circadian entrainment in a diurnal (Octodon degus) and a nocturnal (Rattus norvegicus) rodent

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 18;7(1):8846. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-08691-7.

Abstract

The central circadian pacemaker (Suprachiasmatic Nuclei, SCN) maintains the phase relationship with the external world thanks to the light/dark cycle. Light intensity, spectra, and timing are important for SCN synchronisation. Exposure to blue-light at night leads to circadian misalignment that could be avoided by using less circadian-disruptive wavelengths. This study tests the capacity of a diurnal Octodon degus and nocturnal Rattus norvegicus to synchronise to different nocturnal lights. Animals were subjected to combined red-green-blue lights (RGB) during the day and to: darkness; red light (R); combined red-green LED (RG) lights; and combined red-green-violet LED (RGV) lights during the night. Activity rhythms free-ran in rats under a RGB:RG cycle and became arrhythmic under RGB:RGV. Degus remained synchronised, despite the fact that day and night-time lighting systems differed only in spectra, but not in intensity. For degus SCN c-Fos activation by light was stronger with RGB-light than with RGV. This could be relevant for developing lighting that reduces the disruptive effects of nocturnal light in humans, without compromising chromaticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Color*
  • Female
  • Light*
  • Lighting
  • Male
  • Motor Activity
  • Octodon / physiology*
  • Photoperiod*
  • Rodentia / physiology*
  • Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / physiology