Cyclical acetylcholinesterase activity in diurnalCables nemoricolaand nocturnalMus booduga

Abstract

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain of Catoles and Mus exhibited cyclical variations during the 24 h period of the solar day. Crest values for AChE activity at 08.00 h in Caloles was 180° out of phase with those of Mus. Rhythm characteristics viz., M, A, φ (computed acrophase) and D (periodicity index) differed for the animals. Also, in both cases Ho (Null Hypothesis) was rejected (A o). Hence a significant and phase-synchronized rhythm with angular frequency ω (held constant at one cycle per 24 h) was observed. These observations were correlated to motoric patterns of the animals.