Circadian rhythms of melatonin release from individual superfused chicken pineal glands in vitro.

摘要: Abstract The pineal gland of birds contains one or more circadian oscillators that play a major role in overall temporal organization. We have developed flow-through culture system for the isolated by which we can measure release melatonin continuously from superfused glands over long periods time. Chicken pineals rhythmically, and these rhythms persist vitro with oscillation. In light cycles is strongly rhythmic; however, constant conditions amplitude rhythm lower appears to be damping. Light has at least two effects upon pineal: cyclic input synchronizes rhythm, acute exposure night rapidly inhibits release. The cultured avian clearly offers great potential as model study vertebrate may open way an analysis mechanism.