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Science 2 December 1977:
Vol. 198. no. 4320, pp. 953 - 955
DOI: 10.1126/science.563102
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Articles

Science, Vol 198, Issue 4320, 953-955
Copyright © 1977 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Melatonin induction of gonadal quiescence in pinealectomized Syrian hamsters

L Tamarkin, CW Hollister, NG Lefebvre, and BD Goldman

Pinealectomized Syrian hamsters were injected thrice daily with 25 micrograms of melatonin per injection. The injections were administered at 3-hour intervals either during the day or during the night of a photoperiodic cycle of 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness. After 6 weeks of treatment with melatonin during the night, both pinealectomized and intact hamsters had reduced testis weight, and pinealectomized hamsters showed decreased levels of serum gonadotropins. Injection of melatonin during the day for 7 weeks either once (75 micrograms) a day or thrice (25 micrograms per injection) daily caused a reduction in testis weight in pinealectomized hamsters. Both pinealectomized and intact females injected with melatonin thrice daily during the day became anovulatory by week 7 of treatment. These results are similar to those observed when hamsters are exposed to a short photoperiod, suggesting that melatonin may be acting as a hormone in mediating the effects of photoperiod on the reproductive system of the Syrian hamster.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Mammalian Photoperiodic System: Formal Properties and Neuroendocrine Mechanisms of Photoperiodic Time Measurement.
B. D. Goldman (2001)
J Biol Rhythms 16, 283-301
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Melatonin Production: Proteasomal Proteolysis in Serotonin N-Acetyltransferase Regulation.
J. A. Gastel, P. H. Roseboom, P. A. Rinaldi, J. L. Weller, and D. C. Klein (1998)
Science 279, 1358-1360
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Vertebrate Circadian and Photoperiodic Systems: Role of the Pineal Gland and Melatonin.
H. Underwood and B. D. Goldman (1987)
J Biol Rhythms 2, 279-315
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Melatonin: a coordinating signal for mammalian reproduction?.
L Tamarkin, C. Baird, and O. Almeida (1985)
Science 227, 714-720
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Pineal melatonin rhythm: reduction in aging Syrian hamsters.
R. Reiter, B. Richardson, L. Johnson, B. Ferguson, and D. Dinh (1980)
Science 210, 1372-1373
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Hamster refractoriness: the role of insensitivity of pineal target tissues.
E. Bittman (1978)
Science 202, 648-650
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