Nyctohemeral rhythmicity of type II thyroxine 5′-deiodinase activity in the pineal gland but not in the Harderian gland of the Swiss mouse

Type II thyroxine 5′-deiodinase (5′-D) activity in both pineal and Harderian glands of the Swiss mouse was studied. Pineal 5′-D activity exhibited a nyctohemeral profile with a maximal peak value at 05.00 h, which coincides with that for pineal melatonin production. However, no rhythm of 5′-D activity in the Harderian gland could be found. In pineal gland, light at night inhibited the nocturnal increase in 5′-D activity, while isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic agonist, could not stimulate the enzyme. In the Harderian gland, neither darkness, nor light at night, or isoproterenol were capable of modifying basal values of 5′-D activity.