Most physiological, biochemical and behavioral events in vertebrates, including man, show significant daily fluctuations; these rhythms are driven by an internal """"""""biological clock(s)."""""""" The circadian system of man has important health-related consequences in at least three areas: (1) Abrupt changes in the temporal environment - as experienced by jet travelers or shift workers - can cause disruption of sleep, gastro-intestinal disturbances, and a general feeling of malaise. (2) Certain sleep disorders as well as mental illnesses, such as manic-depressive illness, are thought to reflect inappropriate phase-relationships between internal daily rhythms. (3) The effectiveness of drug therapies, as well as the toxicity of drugs, varies with time-of-day. The proposed studies are designed to elucidate the physiology of the circadian system of a higher vertebrate, using the Japanese quail as a model. The pineal organ, the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus, and the eyes have been identified as parts of the circadian """"""""system."""""""" The role of these areas will be assessed by surgical manipulation (i.e., pinealectomy, SCN lesions) as well as by measurement, via radioimmunoassay, of a putative hormone (melatonin) which is rhythmically produced in both the pineal and eyes and which is involved in circadian organization. These studies will indicate how these three areas - all of which may be autonomously rhythmic-interact to produce a temporally adapted whole so that the right event occurs at the proper time of day.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS020961-02
Application #
3401613
Study Section
Biopsychology Study Section (BPO)
Project Start
1984-07-01
Project End
1988-06-30
Budget Start
1985-07-01
Budget End
1986-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Department
Type
Earth Sciences/Resources
DUNS #
City
Raleigh
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27695
Steele, Christopher T; Tosini, Gianluca; Siopes, Thomas et al. (2006) Time keeping by the quail's eye: circadian regulation of melatonin production. Gen Comp Endocrinol 145:232-6
Steele, Christopher T; Zivkovic, Bora D; Siopes, Thomas et al. (2003) Ocular clocks are tightly coupled and act as pacemakers in the circadian system of Japanese quail. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 284:R208-18
Moore, C B; Siopes, T D; Steele, C T et al. (2002) Pineal melatonin secretion, but not ocular melatonin secretion, is sufficient to maintain normal immune responses in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Gen Comp Endocrinol 126:352-8
Underwood, H; Steele, C T; Zivkovic, B (2001) Circadian organization and the role of the pineal in birds. Microsc Res Tech 53:48-62
Zivkovic, B D; Underwood, H; Siopes, T (2000) Circadian ovulatory rhythms in Japanese quail: role of ocular and extraocular pacemakers. J Biol Rhythms 15:172-83
Hyde, L L; Underwood, H (2000) Effects of melatonin administration on the circadian activity rhythm of the lizard Anolis carolinensis. Physiol Behav 71:183-92
Zivkovic, B D; Underwood, H; Steele, C T et al. (1999) Formal properties of the circadian and photoperiodic systems of Japanese quail: phase response curve and effects of T-cycles. J Biol Rhythms 14:378-90
Underwood, H; Steele, C T; Zivkovic, B (1999) Effects of fasting on the circadian body temperature rhythm of Japanese quail. Physiol Behav 66:137-43
Underwood, H; Edmonds, K (1995) The circadian rhythm of thermoregulation in Japanese quail. II. Multioscillator control. J Biol Rhythms 10:234-47
Underwood, H; Edmonds, K (1995) The circadian rhythm of thermoregulation in Japanese quail: III. Effects of melatonin administration. J Biol Rhythms 10:284-98

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