Abstract

Several studies are designed to examine the role of pineal melatonin in mammalian photoperiodism. The experiments are largely based on our observations in Djungarian hamster which demonstrated that (1) the duration of the nocturnal melatonin peak varies as a function of the photoperiod and (2) long duration melatonin peaks elicit responses which are typically exhibited during exposure to short days, while short duration peaks trigger long day type responses. Attempts will be made to answer the following questions: Is a circadian clock involved in the melatonin response system? Does melatonin act at multiple sites to exert its several physiological effects? How does the mother hamster transmit photoperiodic information to her fetuses? Does the pineal melatonin rhythm exhibited by rodents under field conditions conform to that described for laboratory housed animals?

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01HD015913-06
Application #
3313318
Study Section
Biochemical Endocrinology Study Section (BCE)
Project Start
1981-04-01
Project End
1991-03-31
Budget Start
1986-04-01
Budget End
1987-03-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Shrewsbury
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01545

  Publications

Badura, L L; Goldman, B D (1994) Prolactin secretion in female Siberian hamsters following hypothalamic deafferentation: role of photoperiod and dopamine. Neuroendocrinology 59:49-56
Badura, L L; Goldman, B D (1992) Prolactin-dependent seasonal changes in pelage: role of the pineal gland and dopamine. J Exp Zool 261:27-33
Badura, L L; Goldman, B D (1992) Central sites mediating reproductive responses to melatonin in juvenile male Siberian hamsters. Brain Res 598:98-106
Badura, L L; Goldman, B D (1992) Seasonal regulation of neuroendocrine activity in male Turkish hamsters (Mesocricetus brandti): role of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Neuroendocrinology 55:477-84
Goldman, B D (1991) Parameters of the circadian rhythm of pineal melatonin secretion affecting reproductive responses in Siberian hamsters. Steroids 56:218-25
Bittman, E L; Bartness, T J; Goldman, B D et al. (1991) Suprachiasmatic and paraventricular control of photoperiodism in Siberian hamsters. Am J Physiol 260:R90-101
Bartness, T J; Goldman, B D; Bittman, E L (1991) SCN lesions block responses to systemic melatonin infusions in Siberian hamsters. Am J Physiol 260:R102-12
Nelson, R J; Badura, L L; Goldman, B D (1990) Mechanisms of seasonal cycles of behavior. Annu Rev Psychol 41:81-108
Bartness, T J; Elliott, J A; Goldman, B D (1989) Control of torpor and body weight patterns by a seasonal timer in Siberian hamsters. Am J Physiol 257:R142-9
Bartness, T J; Hamilton, J M; Wade, G N et al. (1989) Regional differences in fat pad responses to short days in Siberian hamsters. Am J Physiol 257:R1533-40

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