The effect of constant light on the estrous cycle and behavior of the female rat

The quantitative 2-[14C]deoxyglucose autoradiographic method was used to study the fluctuations of energy metabolism in discrete brain regions of female rats during the estrous cycle. A consistent though statistically nonsignificant cyclic variation in average glucose utilization of the brain as a whole was observed. Highest levels of glucose utilization occurred during proestrus and metestrus, whereas lower rates were found during estrus and diestrus. Statistically significant fluctuations were found specifically in the hypothalamus and in some limbic structures. Rates of glucose utilization in the female rat brain were compared with rates in normal male rats. Statistically significant differences between males and females at any stage of the estrous cycle were confined mainly to hypothalamic areas known to be involved in the control of sexual behavior. Glucose utilization in males and females was not significantly different in most other cerebral structures.

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Differential Expression of Secretogranin II and Chromogranin A Genes in the Female Rat Pituitary Through Sexual Maturation and Estrous Cycle

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/endo-128-3-1374 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 128 (3) ◽

pp. 1374-1380 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Y. ANOUAR ◽

J. DUVAL

Keyword(s):

Differential Expression ◽

Estrous Cycle ◽

Sexual Maturation ◽

Chromogranin A ◽

Female Rat ◽

Secretogranin Ii ◽

Rat Pituitary

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Variations in binding of [3H]5-HT to cortical membranes during the female rat estrous cycle

Brain Research ◽

10.1016/0006-8993(86)90093-4 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 381 (2) ◽

pp. 376-381 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Lynda Uphouse ◽

Judy Williams ◽

Kris Eckols ◽

Victor Sierra

Keyword(s):

Estrous Cycle ◽

Female Rat ◽

Cortical Membranes

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Melatonin administration entrains female rat activity rhythms in constant darkness but not in constant light

AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpregu.1988.255.2.r237 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 255 (2) ◽

pp. R237-R242

Author(s):

E. M. Thomas ◽

S. M. Armstrong

Keyword(s):

Estrous Cycle ◽

Activity Rhythm ◽

Onset Time ◽

Circadian System ◽

Female Rats ◽

Male Rats ◽

Constant Darkness ◽

Female Rat ◽

Continuous Darkness ◽

Activity Rhythms

In female rats the luteinizing hormone (LH) is timed by the circadian system and is followed by a display of intense, estrogen-induced running behavior. This proestrous running on the night of ovulation can be used as a marker of the estrous cycle. Entrainment of the mammalian circadian system by exogenous melatonin (MT) has been demonstrated only in the activity rhythms of male rats. The present experiments were designed to study the effect of daily MT injections on activity rhythms and proestrous running of female rats in 1) continuous dim white light (LL) and 2) continuous darkness (DD). In LL, MT injections (50 micrograms/kg or 1 mg/kg) had no discernible effect on activity rhythms. In DD, four of the six MT-treated rats (100 micrograms/kg) entrained to the injection, and a fifth animal showed phase advances in its activity rhythm when onset of activity passed through injection time. The sixth animal was not injected with MT at activity onset time. None of the six control animals showed either effect. MT had no effect on the length of the estrous cycle. Thus MT injections can entrain circadian rhythms of activity and proestrous running in female rats in DD but not in LL.

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