Effect of melatonin on circadian rhythm, locomotor activity and body temperature in the intact house sparrow, Japanese quail and owl

Murakami, Noboru; Kawano, Takanori; Nakahara, Keiko; Nasu, Tetsuo; Shiota, Kunio

doi:10.1016/s0006-8993(00)03205-4

Cited by 65 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Together, melatonin derived from the pineal gland and eyes appears to act as a potent inhibitory factor of 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis in birds. This hypothesis is in agreement with the previous finding showing that melatonin decreases locomotor activity of quail (Murakami et al, 2001;Nakahara et al, 2003) as well as other avian species (Murakami et al, 2001). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the action of melatonin on the regulation of neurosteroid synthesis in the vertebrate brain.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…We hypothesized that melatonin may regulate 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis, thus influencing locomotor activity. We based our hypothesis on evidence that melatonin is involved in the regulation of locomotor activity in birds (Binkley et al, 1971;John et al, 1978;Cassone and Menaker, 1984;Chabot and Menaker, 1992;Hau and Gwinner, 1994;Warren and Cassone, 1995;Murakami et al, 2001) and on our observations of parallel changes in locomotor activity and 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis. Our hypothesis was confirmed by a combination of experiments involving melatonin manipulation in male quail.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

7α-Hydroxypregnenolone Mediates Melatonin Action Underlying Diurnal Locomotor Rhythms

Tsutsui¹,

et al. 2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Melatonin regulates diurnal changes in locomotor activity in vertebrates, but the molecular mechanism for this neurohormonal regulation of behavior is poorly understood. Here we show that 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone, a previously undescribed avian neurosteroid, mediates melatonin action on diurnal locomotor rhythms in quail. In this study, we first identified 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone and its stereoisomer 7␤-hydroxypregnenolone in quail brain. These neurosteroids have not been described previously in avian brain. We then demonstrated that 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone acutely increased quail locomotor activity. To analyze the production of 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone, cytochrome P450 7␣ , a steroidogenic enzyme of this neurosteroid, was also identified. Subsequently, we demonstrated diurnal changes in 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis in quail. 7␣-Hydroxypregnenolone synthesis and locomotor activity in males were much higher than in females. This is the first demonstration in any vertebrate of a clear sex difference in neurosteroid synthesis. This sex difference in 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis corresponded to the sex difference in locomotion. We show that only males exhibited marked diurnal changes in 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis, and these changes occurred in parallel with changes in locomotor activity. Finally, we identified melatonin as a key component of the mechanism regulating 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone synthesis. Increased synthesis of 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone occurred in males in vivo after melatonin removal via pinealectomy and orbital enucleation (Px plus Ex). Conversely, decreased synthesis of this neurosteroid occurred after melatonin administration to Px plus Ex males. This study demonstrates that melatonin regulates synthesis of 7␣-hydroxypregnenolone, a key factor for induction of locomotor activity, thus inducing diurnal locomotor changes in male birds. This is a previously undescribed role for melatonin.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

7α-Hydroxypregnenolone Mediates Melatonin Action Underlying Diurnal Locomotor Rhythms

Tsutsui¹,

et al. 2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Subsequently, we investigated whether melatonin regulates diurnal changes in 7a-OH PREG synthesis in the brain and thereby influences diurnal changes in locomotor activity in male quail because previous studies indicated that melatonin is involved in the regulation of locomotion in birds (Binkley et al, 1971;Cassone and Menaker, 1984;Chabot and Menaker, 1992;Hau and Gwinner, 1994;John et al, 1978;Murakami et al, 2001;Warren and Cassone, 1995). Increased concentration and synthesis of 7a-OH PREG occurred in male quail after melatonin removal via Px plus Ex .…”

Section: Diurnal Changes In 7a-oh Preg Synthesis Induced By Melatoninmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to contribute to the progress of neuroendocrinology: New insights from discovering novel neuropeptides and neurosteroids regulating pituitary and brain functions

Tsutsui

2016

General and Comparative Endocrinology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Similarly, an opposite behavioral state corresponds to exclusively nighttime secretion of the principal circadian hormone, melatonin, in either diurnal or nocturnal animals. As a result, the circadian factors may have quite different effects on behavior, e.g., melatonin promotes sleep in diurnally-active humans, macaques, birds or zebrafish, in contrast to lack of such effect of melatonin in nocturnal rats, mice or owls [ 20,23,32,33,35,36 ]. It is thus important to evaluate the extent to which the circadian system and aging are linked in diurnal vertebrates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aging of the circadian system in zebrafish and the effects of melatonin on sleep and cognitive performance

Zhdanova

López‐Patiño

et al. 2008

Brain Research Bulletin

130

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aging is a complex process involving intracellular changes and, notably, modifications in intercellular communications, required for coordinated responses to internal and external events. One of the potential reasons for such changes is an age-dependent failure of the integrating systems, including the circadian clock. Here we demonstrate that aging in a diurnal vertebrate, zebrafish (Danio rerio), is associated with major but selective circadian alterations. By 3-5 years of age, zebrafish have reduced amplitude and increased fragmentation of entrained circadian rhythms of activity, with fast desynchronization of the rhythms in the absence of environmental time cues. Aging in zebrafish is also associated with a reduction in the overall duration of nighttime sleep, followed by lower activity levels and a higher arousal threshold during the day. The production of the principal circadian hormone, melatonin, progressively declines during zebrafish aging. However, the ability of melatonin to acutely promote sleep and entrain circadian rhythms of activity remains robust until at least 4-5-years of age, consistent with the preserved levels of mRNA expression for melatonin receptors. Aged zebrafish have altered expression of the circadian genes zBmal1 and zPer1 but not zClock1. A lack of circadian time cues alters cognitive performance in aged more than in young zebrafish and this can be partially attenuated by daily melatonin administration. The advantages of zebrafish as a diurnal, small, prolific and genetically well-characterized vertebrate model provide new opportunities to clarify the intrinsic circadian factors involved in human aging and promote the search for prophylactic and treatment strategies.

show abstract

Effect of melatonin on circadian rhythm, locomotor activity and body temperature in the intact house sparrow, Japanese quail and owl

Cited by 65 publications

References 23 publications

7α-Hydroxypregnenolone Mediates Melatonin Action Underlying Diurnal Locomotor Rhythms

7α-Hydroxypregnenolone Mediates Melatonin Action Underlying Diurnal Locomotor Rhythms

How to contribute to the progress of neuroendocrinology: New insights from discovering novel neuropeptides and neurosteroids regulating pituitary and brain functions

Aging of the circadian system in zebrafish and the effects of melatonin on sleep and cognitive performance

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About