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Melatonin release from pineal cells of diurnal and nocturnal birds |
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| Authors: | Miki Taniguchi Noboru Murakami Hisae Nakamura Tetsuo Nasu Syusaku Shinohara and Teiichi Etoh |
| Institution: | aDepartment of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan bDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan cMiyazaki Phoenix Zoo, Miyazaki, Japan |
| Abstract: | Melatonin release from the pineal cells of chicks, pigeons and crows (diurnal birds) in vitro was compared with that from owls ( a nocturnal bird). The pineal cells of diurnal birds secreted large amounts of melatonin during the dark period, whereas oowl pineal cells released virtually no melatonin over 24 h and did not respond to exogenous stimulant agents. Histological examination revealed that the owl pineal gland is very small and has a poor vascular network. These results suggest that the pineal gland of owls may have degenerated and is not involved in the circadian clock mechanism in this species. |
| Keywords: | Circadian rhythm Pineal gland Melatonin |
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