Rhythmic changes of melatonin in the circulation and tissues of broiler chickens
1999
Herichova, I. | Zeman, M. (Komenskeho Univ., Bratislava (Slovak Republic). Prirodovedecka Fakulta)
In the present study we measured melatonin levels in the pineal gland, plasma and tissues of 5-7-day-old broiler chicks in the middle of the light : dark cycle 12 : 12 and assessed whether melatonin concentrations exert a daily rhythm. As expected, melatonin concentrations in the pineal gland and plasma exerted the distinct daily rhythm with high level during the dark period. Similarly, the clear daily melatonin rhythm was observed in the duodenum, jejunum, pancreas, spleen and bursa of Fabricius. On the contrary, melatonin levels in the kidneys were low and did not exert rhythmic changes. Daytime melatonin levels in the spleen, kidneys and bursa of Fabricius were lower than melatonin levels in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Our results demonstrated that rhythmic melatonin synthesis in the pineal gland results in rhythmic changes of melatonin concentrations in peripheral tissues.
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