Day/night rhythmicity in the methylating capacities for different 5-hydroxyindoles in the pineal, the retina and the Harderian gland of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) during the annual seasons. 1983

M G Balemans, and P Pévet, and J van Benthem, and C Haldar-Misra, and I Smith, and H Hendriks

In the pineal, the Harderian gland and the retina of the golden hamster the day/night capacity for the synthesis of different methoxyindoles is investigated under natural conditions for one 24-hour period in the months of December, March and June. The amounts of the methoxyindoles and the diurnal rhythms in the synthesis are different in the various months during which the tests were performed. There is a striking increase in the synthesis of melatonin and methoxytryptophol in all three organs in June as compared with December. Equally striking is the high synthesis of methoxytryptamine in the pineal in June, whereas this compound was not formed in the Harderian gland and the retina in this month. Methoxytryptophan synthesis was not observed in June in any of the three organs. Methoxyindoleacetic acid rhythmicity shows a pattern more or less identical to that of melatonin and methoxytryptophol. A high synthesis exists at the end of the June day, but greater fluctuations during the days of the two other months. Acetylmethoxytryptophol is synthesized in the pineal during the night in March, but in the late afternoon in June. The largest quantity of this compound is found in the Harderian gland in December, in the pineal in March and in the retina in June. The largest amounts of melatonin and methoxytryptophol are synthesized when gonadal weight is largest. The possible correlation between the amounts synthesized, the rhythmicities in synthesis and the reproductive system is discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007211 Indoles Benzopyrroles with the nitrogen at the number one carbon adjacent to the benzyl portion, in contrast to ISOINDOLES which have the nitrogen away from the six-membered ring.
D007765 Lacrimal Apparatus The tear-forming and tear-conducting system which includes the lacrimal glands, eyelid margins, conjunctival sac, and the tear drainage system. Lacrimal Gland,Nasolacrimal Apparatus,Conjunctival Sacs,Lacrimal Ducts,Lacrimal Punctum,Lateral Canthus,Medial Canthus,Apparatus, Lacrimal,Apparatus, Nasolacrimal,Canthus, Lateral,Canthus, Medial,Conjunctival Sac,Duct, Lacrimal,Gland, Lacrimal,Lacrimal Duct,Lacrimal Glands,Lacrimal Punctums,Punctum, Lacrimal,Sac, Conjunctival
D008297 Male Males
D008647 Mesocricetus A genus in the order Rodentia and family Cricetidae. One species, Mesocricetus auratus or golden hamster is widely used in biomedical research. Hamsters, Golden,Hamsters, Golden Syrian,Hamsters, Syrian,Mesocricetus auratus,Syrian Golden Hamster,Syrian Hamster,Golden Hamster,Golden Hamster, Syrian,Golden Hamsters,Golden Syrian Hamsters,Hamster, Golden,Hamster, Syrian,Hamster, Syrian Golden,Syrian Hamsters
D008745 Methylation Addition of methyl groups. In histo-chemistry methylation is used to esterify carboxyl groups and remove sulfate groups by treating tissue sections with hot methanol in the presence of hydrochloric acid. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Methylations
D010870 Pineal Gland A light-sensitive neuroendocrine organ attached to the roof of the THIRD VENTRICLE of the brain. The pineal gland secretes MELATONIN, other BIOGENIC AMINES and NEUROPEPTIDES. Epiphysis Cerebri,Pineal Body,Corpus Pineale,Gland, Pineal,Pineal Bodies,Pineal Glands
D012160 Retina The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. Ora Serrata
D002940 Circadian Rhythm The regular recurrence, in cycles of about 24 hours, of biological processes or activities, such as sensitivity to drugs or environmental and physiological stimuli. Diurnal Rhythm,Nyctohemeral Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythm,Nycthemeral Rhythm,Circadian Rhythms,Diurnal Rhythms,Nycthemeral Rhythms,Nyctohemeral Rhythms,Rhythm, Circadian,Rhythm, Diurnal,Rhythm, Nycthemeral,Rhythm, Nyctohemeral,Rhythm, Twenty-Four Hour,Rhythms, Circadian,Rhythms, Diurnal,Rhythms, Nycthemeral,Rhythms, Nyctohemeral,Rhythms, Twenty-Four Hour,Twenty Four Hour Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythms
D006224 Cricetinae A subfamily in the family MURIDAE, comprising the hamsters. Four of the more common genera are Cricetus, CRICETULUS; MESOCRICETUS; and PHODOPUS. Cricetus,Hamsters,Hamster
D006243 Harderian Gland A sebaceous gland that, in some animals, acts as an accessory to the lacrimal gland. The harderian gland excretes fluid that facilitates movement of the third eyelid. Gland, Harderian

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