Suppression of locomotor activity in sparrows by treatment with melatonin

doi:10.1016/0031-9384(78)90053-7

Physiology & Behavior

Volume 21, Issue 2, August 1978, Pages 275-278

https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(78)90053-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

The continuous administration of melatonin via intraperitoneally placed Silastic capsules resulted in a clear reduction in the total amount of perch hopping activity recorded from sparrows maintained on either LD 3:21 or LD 8:16. Removal of the melatonin-filled capsules restored the level of locomotor activity to that seen prior to capsule implantation. These results, in conjunction with a previous study demonstrating that melatonin can alter the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity in sparrows, suggest that the pineal product melatonin plays a role in both the timing and the amount of activity expressed throughout the activity-rest cycle in birds.

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Cited by (31)

The relationship between daily behavior, hormones, and a color dimorphism in a seabird under natural continuous light
2021, Hormones and Behavior
Citation Excerpt :
That the interaction of attendance and morph explained variation in melatonin slightly better than the null model indicates the complex relationship between physiology, behavior, and the plumage dimorphism (i.e., Fig. 3). Higher melatonin in on-duty, unbridled murres could reduce activity and induce sleep (Hendel and Turek, 1978; Hishikawa et al., 1969), which would result in them being more stationary when on their egg or chick than bridled murres, thereby explaining the higher proportion of unbridled individuals being on-duty compared to bridled individuals (Fig. 1). Proximate mechanisms associated with differences in physiology (i.e., melatonin) and differential interaction with the environment via colony attendance behavior between bridled and unbridled murres may underlie the differences in breeding performance described previously, further suggesting that the strategy employed by one morph compensates for the strategy employed by the other morph (Kristensen et al., 2014).
The predictable oscillation between the light of day and the dark of night across the diel cycle is a powerful selective force that has resulted in anticipatory mechanisms in nearly all taxa. At polar latitude, however, this oscillation becomes highly attenuated during the continuous light of polar day during summer. A general understanding of how animals keep time under these conditions is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that the common murre (a seabird, Uria aalge) can use melatonin and corticosterone, hormones associated with timekeeping, to track the diel cycle despite continuous light. We also tested the assumption that common murres breeding during polar summer schedule their colony attendance by time of day and sex, as they do at subpolar latitude. In the Atlantic population, common murres have a plumage color dimorphism associated with fitness-related traits, and we investigated the relationship of this dimorphism with colony attendance, melatonin, and corticosterone. The common murres did not schedule their attendance behavior by time of day or sex, yet they had higher concentrations of melatonin and, to a more limited extent, corticosterone during “night” than “day”. Melatonin also linked to behavioral state. The two color morphs tended to have different colony-attendance behavior and melatonin concentrations, lending support for balancing selection maintaining the plumage dimorphism. In common murres, melatonin can signal time of day despite continuous light, and the limited diel variation of corticosterone contributes to the mounting evidence that polar-adapted birds and mammals require little or no diel variation in circulating glucocorticoids during polar day.
Functional similarity in relation to the external environment between circadian behavioral and melatonin rhythms in the subtropical Indian weaver bird
2012, Hormones and Behavior
Citation Excerpt :
That is, activity and melatonin profiles had an inverse phase relationship: activity (day) = low melatonin levels; rest (night) = high melatonin levels (cf. Figs. 1A–F, right hand panel). A similar relationship between activity and plasma melatonin levels has been reported in several other birds (Hendel and Turek, 1978; Kumar et al., 2000, 2007a; Oshima et al., 1987; Yamada et al., 1988). Experiment 2 showed that circadian rhythms were disrupted at relatively lower light intensities in the freerunning states (LLdim; Figs 2D and E, left hand panels).
The present study investigated whether the circadian oscillators controlling rhythms in activity behavior and melatonin secretion shared similar functional relationship with the external environment. We simultaneously measured the effects of varying illuminations on rhythms of movement and melatonin levels in Indian weaver birds under synchronized (experiment 1) and freerunning (experiment 2) light conditions. In experiment 1, weaverbirds were exposed to 12 h light: 12 h darkness (12L:12D; L = 20 lx, D = 0.1 lx) for 2.5 weeks. Then, the illumination of the dark period was sequentially enhanced to 1-, 5-, 10-, 20- and 100 lx at the intervals of about 2 to 4 weeks. In experiment 2, weaver birds similarly exposed for 2.5 weeks to 12L:12D (L = 100 lx; D = 0.1 lx) were released in constant dim light (LL_dim, 0.1 lx) for 6 weeks. Thereafter, LL_dim illumination was sequentially enhanced to 1-, 3- and 5 lx at the intervals of about 2 weeks. Whereas the activity of singly housed individuals was continuously recorded, the plasma melatonin levels were measured at two time of the day, once in each light condition. The circadian outputs in activity and melatonin were phase coupled with an inverse phase relationship: melatonin levels were low during the active phase (light period) and high during the inactive phase (dark period). This phase relationship continued in both the synchronized and freerunning states as long as circadian activity and melatonin oscillators subjectively interpreted synchronously the daily light environment, based on illumination intensity and/or photophase contrast, as the times of day and night. There were dissociations between the response of the activity rhythms and melatonin rhythms in light conditions when the contrast between day and night was much reduced (20:10 lx) or became equal. We suggest that circadian oscillators governing activity behavior and melatonin secretion in weaverbirds are phase coupled, but they seem to independently respond to environmental cues. This would probably explain the varying degree to which the involvement of pineal/melatonin in regulation of circadian behaviors has been found among different birds.
Melatonin receptor density in Area X of European starlings is correlated with reproductive state and is unaffected by plasma melatonin concentration
2003, General and Comparative Endocrinology
Several of the song control nuclei of songbirds, including HVc (higher vocal center) and Area X, contain melatonin receptor (MelR). In laboratory-housed male starlings, the densities of MelR in Area X change markedly according to reproductive state. MelR are down-regulated when starlings are photostimulated (in full breeding condition) and are subsequently up-regulated when starlings become photorefractory (reproductively quiescent). However, seasonal regulation of MelR densities in Area X has only been investigated during the light phase of the light:dark cycle. Variation in MelR densities are physiologically relevant only if they also occur during the dark phase, when melatonin is present in the circulation. Brains from male starlings that were in different reproductive states but exposed to the same 18L:6D photoperiod were collected during either the mid-point of the light phase or the dark phase. Melatonin receptor distribution was assessed in vitro by ¹²⁵Iodomelatonin (IMEL) receptor autoradiography. All photostimulated birds exhibited down-regulation of MelR in Area X, and all photorefractory birds exhibited high MelR density in Area X, regardless of time of sampling or plasma melatonin concentration. Thus, within each reproductive state, MelR density in Area X did not differ over the course of a circadian cycle. The functional significance of seasonal regulation of MelR in this song control nucleus remains unclear, but it is likely to involve a release of cellular inhibition by melatonin during photostimulation, with possible consequences for song learning, memory consolidation or regulation of the context of song production.
Nocturnal activity in the green sea turtle alters daily profiles of melatonin and corticosterone
2002, Hormones and Behavior
In nature, green turtles (Chelonia mydas) can exhibit nocturnal activity in addition to their typically diurnal activity cycle. We examined whether nocturnal activity in captive and free-living green turtles altered daily plasma profiles of melatonin (MEL) and corticosterone (CORT). In captivity, diurnally active green turtles expressed distinct diel cycles in MEL and CORT; a nocturnal rise was observed in MEL and a diurnal rise was observed in CORT. However, when induced to perform both low- and high-intensity nocturnal activity, captive green turtles exhibited a significant decrease in MEL, compared to inactive controls. In contrast, plasma CORT increased significantly with nocturnal activity, and further, the relative increase in CORT was correlated with the intensity of the nocturnal behavior. In free-living green turtles that performed nocturnal activity including: nesting, mate searching, and feeding/swimming behaviors, plasma profiles in MEL and CORT exhibited relatively little, or no, daily fluctuation. Our findings demonstrate that nocturnal activity in green turtles is often associated with MEL and CORT profiles that resemble those measured during the day. We speculate that these conspicuous changes in MEL and CORT during nocturnal activity could either support or promote behaviors that enable acquisition of transient resources important to the survival and reproductive success of green turtles.
Effects of melatonin administration on the circadian activity rhythm of the lizard Anolis carolinensis
2000, Physiology and Behavior
The green anole, Anolis carolinensis, is the most thoroughly studied North American lizard species, yet little is known about the circadian system of this species. Studies in several lizard species, including Anolis, support the hypothesis that the pineal organ is the site of a major circadian pacemaker that controls the phasing and frequency of circadian clocks located elsewhere. We examined the effects of exogenous administration of the pineal hormone, melatonin, to determine if the pineal secretion of melatonin could be the mechanism whereby the pineal communicates with the rest of the circadian system in Anolis. Continuous melatonin administration via subcutaneous silastic implants to pineal-intact anoles exposed to light–dark (LD) cycles 6:18 and LD 6:20 and to pinealectomized anoles entrained to LD 6:18 completely suppressed activity that preceded lights-on suggesting a direct inhibitory (masking) effect on activity. Continuous exogenous administration of lower dosages of melatonin to anoles expressing their endogenous circadian activity rhythm (free-running) in dim continuous light caused either arrhythmicity, a shortening of the free-running period, bouts of arrhythmicity and rhythmicity, or a suppression of activity. It was concluded that melatonin can affect both the expression of the activity rhythm as well as the circadian oscillator driving the activity rhythm. The results support the hypothesis that the circadian pacemaker in the pineal organ controls other (subordinate) circadian clocks via the rhythmic synthesis and secretion of melatonin.
Continuous melatonin administration accelerates resynchronization following phase shifts of a light-dark cycle
1995, Physiology and Behavior
Circadian rhythms of most passerine birds and some reptiles depend to a considerable extent on the presence of periodic melatonin, which is considered to be part of the central pacemaking system. Recent results on house sparrows have suggested that melatonin, apart from its periodic effects on the circadian system, may also exert effects derived from a constant action: Continuous melatonin applied through subcutaneously implanted silastic tubing enhanced the synchronization response to a low-amplitude light-dark zeitgeber, indicating some kind of sensitization to zeitgeber stimuli. In the present study we tested the prediction derived from these results, that speed of resynchronization after a phase shift of a light-cycle should be enhanced if melatonin is continuously administered. We found that, indeed, house sparrows required less time to resynchronize to an 8 h advance or delay phase shift of a low-amplitude light-dark cycle while carrying a silastic implant filled with melatonin than while carrying an empty implant. The effect is suggested to result from either one or a combination of the following mechanisms: (i) An increased circadian visual sensitivity, (ii) a diminished amplitude of the circadian oscillation, iii) an altered feedback of the locomotor activity to the oscillatory system.

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^☆: This investigation was supported by Research Grant No. PCM-09955 from the National Science Foundation and United States Public Health Service Grant HD-09885 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. We wish to thank Dr. Albert Wolfson, Martha Hauch and Mary Anne Hoffman for technical assistance.

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Physiology & Behavior

Abstract

References (25)

Lack of an effect of melatonin treatment via Silastic capsules on photic-induced gonadal growth and the photorefractory condition in white-throated sparrows

Gen. Comp. Endocrin.

On the effect of melatonin upon human brain. Its impossible therapeutic implications

Life Sci.

Pineal and melatonin: circadian rhythms and body temperature of sparrows

Pineal function in sparrows: circadian rhythms and body temperature

Science

Pineal enzymes: regulation of avian melatonin synthesis

Science

Regulation of pineal rhythms in chickens: refractory period and nonvisual light perception

Endocrinology

Locomotor activity responses in juvenile sokeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, to melatonin and serotonin

Can. J. Zool.

The circadian component in the photoperiodic mechanism of the house sparrow, Passer domesticus

Physiol. Zool.

The influence of the pineal organ on the circadian activity rhythm in birds

Pineal function: the biological clock in the sparrow?

Science

Extraocular light perception in photoperiodic responses of the white crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) and of the golden-crowned sparrow (Z. atricapilla)

Z. vergl. Physiologie

Natural and melatonin-induced sleep in young chickens—a behavioral and electrographic study

Expl Brain Res.

Cited by (31)

The relationship between daily behavior, hormones, and a color dimorphism in a seabird under natural continuous light

Functional similarity in relation to the external environment between circadian behavioral and melatonin rhythms in the subtropical Indian weaver bird

Melatonin receptor density in Area X of European starlings is correlated with reproductive state and is unaffected by plasma melatonin concentration

Nocturnal activity in the green sea turtle alters daily profiles of melatonin and corticosterone

Effects of melatonin administration on the circadian activity rhythm of the lizard Anolis carolinensis

Continuous melatonin administration accelerates resynchronization following phase shifts of a light-dark cycle

Suppression of locomotor activity in sparrows by treatment with melatonin☆

Abstract

Gen. Comp. Endocrin.

On the effect of melatonin upon human brain. Its impossible therapeutic implications

Life Sci.

Pineal and melatonin: circadian rhythms and body temperature of sparrows

Pineal function in sparrows: circadian rhythms and body temperature

Science

Pineal enzymes: regulation of avian melatonin synthesis

Science

Regulation of pineal rhythms in chickens: refractory period and nonvisual light perception

Endocrinology

Locomotor activity responses in juvenile sokeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, to melatonin and serotonin

Can. J. Zool.

The circadian component in the photoperiodic mechanism of the house sparrow, Passer domesticus

Physiol. Zool.

The influence of the pineal organ on the circadian activity rhythm in birds

Pineal function: the biological clock in the sparrow?

Science

Extraocular light perception in photoperiodic responses of the white crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) and of the golden-crowned sparrow (Z. atricapilla)

Z. vergl. Physiologie

Natural and melatonin-induced sleep in young chickens—a behavioral and electrographic study

Expl Brain Res.