Journal article
Melatonin secretion in a strictly subterranean mammal, the Damaraland mole-rat (Cryptomys damarensis)
Journal of Zoology, Vol.261(3), pp.313-319
2003
Abstract
Subterranean mammals inhabit an environment that is normally devoid of light and are therefore deprived of photoperiodic information that can be used to time important life-history events. An assessment was made of whether melatonin secretion in a strictly subterranean rodent, the Damaraland mole-rat Cryptomys damarensis, can be modified by photoperiod. In experiment 1, a clear diurnal rhythm of melatonin secretion in animals housed under a neutral photoperiod (12L:12D) was observed, with significantly higher melatonin concentrations in the dark compared to the light phase. The same diurnal melatonin rhythm was found 1 day after animals were transferred to either continuous light or continuous dark, suggesting that a circadian rhythm was maintained under acute exposure to light and dark. In experiment 2, melatonin secretion was monitored in a long (14L:10D) and short day (10L:14D) photoperiod and was found to be modified by the photoperiodic change. We therefore suggest that the Damaraland mole-rat possesses a circadian melatonin rhythm that can be physiologically modulated in response to photoperiod.
Details
- Title
- Melatonin secretion in a strictly subterranean mammal, the Damaraland mole-rat (Cryptomys damarensis)
- Authors/Creators
- T.A. Richter (Author/Creator) - University of MiamiB. Malpaux (Author/Creator) - Institut National de la Recherche AgronomiqueP.A. Fleming (Author/Creator) - University of PretoriaA.J. Molteno (Author/Creator) - University of PretoriaN.C. Bennett (Author/Creator) - University of Pretoria
- Publication Details
- Journal of Zoology, Vol.261(3), pp.313-319
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Identifiers
- 991005542899907891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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