Light-induced suppression of the rat circadian system

1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (5) ◽  
pp. R1111-R1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Depres-Brummer ◽  
F. Levi ◽  
G. Metzger ◽  
Y. Touitou
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Circadian System ◽  
Short Exposure ◽  
Complete Suppression ◽  
Continuous Darkness

In a constant environment, circadian rhythms persist with slightly altered period lengths. Results of studies with continuous light exposure are less clear, because of short exposure durations and single-variable monitoring. This study sought to characterize properties of the oscillator(s) controlling the rat's circadian system by monitoring both body temperature and locomotor activity. We observed that prolonged exposure of male Sprague-Dawley rats to continuous light (LL) systematically induced complete suppression of body temperature and locomotor activity circadian rhythms and their replacement by ultradian rhythms. This was preceded by a transient loss of coupling between both functions. Continuous darkness (DD) restored circadian synchronization of temperature and activity circadian rhythms within 1 wk. The absence of circadian rhythms in LL coincided with a mean sixfold decrease in plasma melatonin and a marked dampening but no abolition of its circadian rhythmicity. Restoration of temperature and activity circadian rhythms in DD was associated with normalization of melatonin rhythm. These results demonstrated a transient internal desynchronization of two simultaneously monitored functions in the rat and suggested the existence of two or more circadian oscillators. Such a hypothesis was further strengthened by the observation of a circadian rhythm in melatonin, despite complete suppression of body temperature and locomotor activity rhythms. This rat model should be useful for investigating the physiology of the circadian timing system as well as to identify agents and schedules having specific pharmacological actions on this system.

Internal synchronization among several circadian rhythms in rats under constant light

1978 ◽  
Vol 235 (5) ◽  
pp. R243-R249 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. I. Honma ◽  
T. Hiroshige
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Biological Rhythms ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Dark Cycle ◽  
Internal Oscillator ◽  
Free Running ◽  
Phase Angles

Three biological rhythms (locomotor activity, body temperature, and plasma corticosterone) were measured simultaneously in individual rats under light-dark cycles and continuous light. Spontaneous locomotor activity was recorded on an Animex and body temperature was telemetrically monitored throughout the experiments. Blood samples were obtained serially at 2-h intervals on the experimental days. Phase angles of these rhythms were calculated by a least-squares spectrum analysis. Under light-dark cycles, the acrophases of locomotor activity, body temperature, and plasma corticosterone were found at 0029, 0106, and 1940 h, respectively. When rats were exposed to 200 lx continuous light, locomotor activity and body temperature showed free-running rhythms with a period of 25.2 h on the average. Plasma corticosterone levels determined at 12 days after exposure to continuous light exhibited a circadian rhythm with the acrophase shifted to 0720. The acrophases of locomotor activity and body temperature, determined simultaneously on the same day, were found to be located at 1303 and 1358 h, respectively. Phase-angle differences among the three rhythms on the 12th day of continuous light were essentially the same with those under the light-dark cycle. These results suggest that circadian rhythms of locomotor activity, body temperature, and plasma corticosterone are most probably coupled to a common internal oscillator in the rat.

Free-Running Human Circadian Rhythms in Svalbard

1979 ◽  
Vol 34 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 470-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Johnsson ◽  
W. Engelmann ◽  
W. Klemke ◽  
Aud Tveito Ekse
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Circadian System ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Light Conditions ◽  
Temperature Recording ◽  
Rest Time ◽  
Free Running

Abstract The body temperature, activity-rest time, electrolytes of urine samples and mood was measured in two persons during a 19 day period under continuous light conditions in the arctic (vicinity of Ny Ålesund, Svalbard-Spitsbergen). For temperature recording a new thermoprobe and a portable printer was used. Possible week Zeitgeber of the 24 hour day did not synchronize the circadian system, since circadian rhythms of about 26 hours were found. These results open up the pos­ sibility to study effects of drugs on the circadian system of humans under Svalbard conditions.

Endogenous ultradian rhythms in rats exposed to prolonged continuous light

1978 ◽  
Vol 235 (5) ◽  
pp. R250-R256 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. I. Honma ◽  
T. Hiroshige
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Ultradian Rhythm ◽  
Ultradian Rhythms ◽  
Serial Sampling ◽  
Free Running

Circadian rhythms of locomotor activity, body temperature, and plasma corticosterone were determined simultaneously in individual rats that were exposed to 200 lx continuous light for over 3 mo. Free-running circadian rhythms of locomotor activity persisted for about 2 mo under continuous light and then the rhythms gradually decomposed. After 3 mo of exposure, circadian rhythms disappeared and activity bursts of 1- to 2-h duration manifested themselves several times during a 24-h period. Body temperature also exhibited several bursts of fluctuation and these bursts were closely correlated in their temporal sequence with those of locomotor activity. A least-squares spectrum analysis revealed that the burst had regular 4- to 6-h periods. Plasma corticosterone, determined by serial sampling at 2-h intervals from individual rats, also exhibited several secretion episodes in a day. These episodic secretions synchronized with bursts of locomotor activity. These results suggest that the ultradian component, manifested under prolonged continuous light, is a fundamental unit of the circadian rhythm and an oscillator for the ultradian rhythm is common to the three functions examined.

Circadian rhythms of body temperature and locomotor activity in aging BALB/c mice: early and late life span predictors

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Basso ◽  
Giovanna Del Bello ◽  
Francesco Piacenza ◽  
Robertina Giacconi ◽  
Laura Costarelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Late Life

CIRCADIAN LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY AND ITS ENTRAINMENT BY FOOD IN THE CRAYFISH PROCAMBARUS CLARKI

1994 ◽  
Vol 190 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
F F De Miguel ◽  
H Aréchiga
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Food Reinforcement ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Food Delivery ◽  
Continuous Darkness ◽  
Locomotor Activity Rhythm ◽  
Activity Peak ◽  
Free Running ◽  
Two Peaks

The aim of our experiments has been to study the effect of light and food in the locomotor activity rhythm of the crayfish Procambarus clarki. Experiments were carried out under light:dark (LD) cycles of 12 h:12 h, under continuous darkness (DD) and under continuous light (LL). Under LD cycles, two peaks of activity were observed during the night phase of the cycle, while resting was characteristic of the day phase. Under DD or LL, it was possible to follow a free-running rhythm with a periodicity of 22.3±0.84 h in DD and 24.8±0.27 h in LL, typical of circadian rhythms of nocturnal species. A single delivery of food in the day phase of the LD cycle resulted in an outburst of locomotor activity that lasted for several hours. In the ensuing days, an activity peak appeared in phase with the time of food delivery. The food-related activity peak could be followed for up to 2 weeks without food reinforcement. Under DD and LL, food induced an activity rhythm in previously arrhythmic animals. Here the period was longer than 24 h in DD (26.2±0.12 h) and shorter in LL (22.5±0.46 h). Together, these results strongly suggest that light and food may play a role entraining a locomotor activity rhythm in crayfish.

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