Seasonal change of daily motor activity rhythms in Capra hircus

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Piccione ◽  
Claudia Giannetto ◽  
Stefania Casella ◽  
Giovanni Caola
Keyword(s):  
Motor Activity ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Capra Hircus ◽  
Environmental Condition ◽  
Winter Solstice ◽  
Vernal Equinox ◽  
Activity Rhythms ◽  
Data Loggers ◽  
Natural Photoperiod

To evaluate if seasonal changes in photoperiod and temperature were associated with changes in total daily motor activity we recorded the total daily motor activity of five clinically healthy goats at four different times of the year (vernal equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox and winter solstice). Goats were housed under natural photoperiod and natural ambient temperature in a 12-m2 sound-proof box equipped with 50 × 100 cm opening window, which allowed natural ventilation. Total motor activity of each goat was recorded by Actiwatch-Mini®, actigraphy-based data loggers that record a digitally integrated measure of motor activity. Our results show the existence of clear seasonal variations in daily activity rhythms in goats, with the highest daily amount of activity during the vernal equinox (769.21 ± 82.56 movements h-1) and the lowest during the winter solstice (401.65 ± 61.82 movements h-1) (P < 0.0001). There was also a change in the amount of motor activity observed during photophase and scotophase through the year (P < 0.0001). The cosine peak (times of the daily peaks), always occurred in the middle of the photoperiods and varied from season to season (P < 0.0001). Our data indicate that daily motor activity of goats varies with season. Key words: Daily rhythm, environmental condition, total activity, goat

Seasons induce changes in the daily rhythm of plasma melatonin in goats (Capra hircus)

2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Carcangiu ◽  
Claudia Giannetto ◽  
Sebastiano Luridiana ◽  
Francesco Fazio ◽  
Maria Consuelo Mura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Jugular Vein ◽  
Reproductive Physiology ◽  
Daily Rhythm ◽  
Capra Hircus ◽  
Winter Solstice ◽  
Vernal Equinox ◽  
Melatonin Concentration ◽  
Plasma Melatonin ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Natural Photoperiod

To evaluate the influence of natural photoperiod on the daily rhythm of melatonin, we assessed melatonin plasma concentration at four different times of the year. Ten Sarda breed goats were led to the natural pasture during the day and were kept in a common stall during the night. Blood samples were collected by means of a cannula inserted into the jugular vein, every two hours for a 24-hour period during the vernal equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox, and winter solstice. Our results showed the existence of clear seasonal variation in the daily rhythm of plasma melatonin in goats, with the highest MESOR value in winter followed by spring. Acrophase was always observed in the middle of the scotophase. Robustness of the rhythm was higher in the spring as compared to the winter. Our results showed a daily rhythm of plasma melatonin concentration strongly related to the seasons. These results could be useful to establish appropriately timed melatonin and/or photoperiod treatments for the management of reproductive physiology in goats.

The Uncertain Influence of Spring Photoperiod on Spawning in the American Lobster, Homarus americanus

1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 194-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Aiken ◽  
S. L. Waddy
Keyword(s):  
Homarus Americanus ◽  
American Lobster ◽  
Winter Solstice ◽  
Natural Photoperiod ◽  
H 30

The literature contains a report that induction of final vitellogenesis and time of spawning in American lobsters (Homarus americanus) is controlled by spring photoperiod. However, we could not corroborate this. Two experiments with American lobsters held throughout the winter in Canadian Atlantic seawater temperatures indicated no effect of spring photoperiod on time of spawning. In one experiment the onset of spring photophase was delayed by 2 mo. In the second experiment the photophase at the winter solstice (9 h 46 min) was gradually shortened over ensuing months to 5 h 30 min on 7 July. Neither of these treatments altered the time of spawning relative to control animals on a simulated natural photoperiod cycle. Spawning occurred at photoperiods of LD 6:18 and LD 15:9.

Circadian rhythms and depression: effects of exercise in an animal model

1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (1) ◽  
pp. R152-R161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah C. Solberg ◽  
Teresa H. Horton ◽  
Fred W. Turek
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythms ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Forced Swim Test ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Constant Darkness ◽  
Activity Rhythms ◽  
Running Wheels ◽  
And Control

There is a clear link between altered circadian rhythms and depressive disorders, although the nature of this relationship is unknown. In addition, exercise affects both mood and alters clock function. To investigate the relationship between circadian rhythms, depression, and exercise, 3-wk-old mice housed on a 12:12-h light-dark cycle were exposed to chronic stress (CS) for 6 wk before being placed into constant darkness (DD). One-half of both the control and stressed mice were given access to a running wheel. Stressed mice consumed significantly less of a 2% sucrose solution during CS and exhibited a significant increase in immobility in the forced swim test 3 wk after the termination of stress relative to control mice. These effects were more pronounced in mice without running wheels. Stressed mice also exhibited altered percent distribution of total activity and increased fragmentation of daily activity rhythms during CS relative to control mice. Alterations in percent distribution were more pronounced in animals without running wheels. No activity rhythm changes were seen in DD, and there were no differences in light-induced phase shifts between stressed and control mice. These results suggest that CS causes long-term depressive-like symptoms but does not have long-lasting effects on activity rhythms. These changes were more pronounced in mice without running wheels, suggesting that exercise may protect against the harmful effects of stress.

Inhibitory effect of increased photoperiod on wool follicle growth

1996 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
A J Pearson ◽  
A L Parry ◽  
M G Ashby ◽  
V J Choy ◽  
J E Wildermoth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Day Treatment ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Follicle Growth ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Winter Solstice ◽  
Natural Photoperiod ◽  
Wool Follicle ◽  
Plasma Prl ◽  
Short Days

Abstract The relationships between circulating prolactin (PRL), wool follicle growth and daylength were investigated in 24 New Zealand Wiltshire ewes housed indoors from September 1989 to May 1991. Twelve control (C) ewes were maintained under natural photoperiod. Two other groups were held in short days (SD; 8 h light:16 h darkness) commencing from the winter solstice (22 June 1990) for either three (group SD3, n=7) or six (group SD6, n=5) months before reversion to natural daylength. Skin was sampled at one- to four-week intervals for histological determination of percentages of growing primary and secondary follicles. Hourly blood samples over 24 h were collected via jugular cannulae from C sheep in March and July and then monthly from all animals until December 1990 for estimation of mean monthly PRL concentrations for each treatment group. Between autumn (March 1990) and winter (July) primary follicle activity (PFA) and secondary follicle activity (SFA) declined in C ewes (PFA: 97 to 43%, SFA: 100 to 57%). Follicle regrowth during July and August in eight C ewes preceded the initial rise in plasma PRL from the winter minimum (1·6 ng/ml). Across the three groups, four instances of decreased follicle activity were observed, closely following or concurrent with increases in plasma PRL concentrations. The resumption of spring growth in four C sheep was temporarily checked by falls in follicle activities during September and October as PRL concentrations began to increase (3·4 to 8·9 ng/ml). Follicle activity also declined in November and December in eight C sheep, coincident with the rapid rise in PRL to a seasonal maximum in late November (165·4 ng/ml). The increase in SD3 follicle activity over spring was not delayed by short days but during October, after release from treatment, PRL concentrations rose (1·8 to 12·0 ng/ml) and follicle activity declined (PFA: 65 to 38%, SFA: 68 to 43%). In SD6 ewes, PRL concentrations were suppressed (2·1 ng/ml) and relatively constant levels of follicle activity (PFA: 73%, SFA: 95%) were maintained throughout short-day treatment. Release of SD6 ewes into summer photoperiod in January 1991 temporarily interrupted follicle growth (PFA: 68 to 17%, SFA: 96 to 19%) and caused out-ofseason shedding in March and April. Contemporary C follicle activities were high (PFA: 95%, SFA: 98%). These data suggest that natural and experimental increases in daylength have a short-term inhibitory effect on growing wool follicles which could be mediated through rising concentrations of plasma prolactin. Journal of Endocrinology (1996) 148, 157–166

Effects of raphe lesions on circadian ACTH, corticosterone and motor activity rhythms in free-running blinded rats

1981 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Szafarczyk ◽  
G. Ixart ◽  
G. Alonso ◽  
F. Malaval ◽  
J. Nouguier-Soule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Activity ◽  
Activity Rhythms ◽  
Free Running

Mississippian Solstice Shrines and a Cahokian Calendar: An Hypothesis Based on Ethnohistory and Archaeology

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia J. O'Brien ◽  
William P. McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Full Moon ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Summer Solstice ◽  
The Moon ◽  
Winter Solstice ◽  
Vernal Equinox ◽  
Religious Ritual ◽  
Autumnal Equinox ◽  
New Moon ◽  
Using Data

This article examines the hypothesis that early Middle Mississippians had a calendric system which tied agriculture and religious ritual together. It also suggests that to that end they built solstice shrines as a means of recording the passage of time through the behavior of the sun and the moon. Using data from structures having possible astronomical alignments, from historic-ethnographic-linguistic sources, and from agricultural planting cycles, a “Cahokian calendar year” is constructed. The year begins with the summer solstice and the Great Busk ceremony. At the next full moon the “great corn” is planted to be harvested at the autumnal equinox. At the winter solstice winter begins while the vernal equinox is marked by a ritual for the Great Sun, their ruler. At the next new moon after that rite a “little corn” is planted which is harvested at the Great Busk. In their five-day, thirteenth month, just before the Busk, all the fires in the society are extinguished to be relit at the summer solstice Great Busk ceremony.

Melatonin Ineffective in Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis Patients with Fragmented or Normal Motor Activity Rhythms Recorded by Wrist Actigraphy

1999 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taina Hätönen ◽  
Erika Kirveskari ◽  
Hannu Heiskala ◽  
Kimmo Sainio ◽  
Maija-Liisa Laakso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Activity ◽  
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ◽  
Activity Rhythms ◽  
Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ◽  
Wrist Actigraphy

BEHAVIORAL ACTIVITY OF COWS IN THE CONDITIONS OF ROBOTIC MILKING AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO DAIRY PRODUCTIVITY

2020 ◽  
pp. 10-12
Author(s):  
Л.Р. ЗАГИДУЛЛИН ◽  
Р.Р. ХИСАМОВ ◽  
Р.Р. ШАЙДУЛЛИН ◽  
Р.Р. КАЮМОВ ◽  
С.М. НИГМАТЗЯНОВ
Keyword(s):  
Motor Activity ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Behavioral Activity ◽  
Milk Productivity ◽  
Robotic Milking ◽  
Daily Time

Приведены результаты исследования этологии коров Татарстанского типа холмогорской породы в условиях роботизированного доения. Для анализа результатов рассчитаны индексы пищевой, двигательной и общей активности. Коровы по молочной продуктивности разделены на 3 группы: низкопродуктивные, среднепродуктивные и высокопродуктивные. Индекс пищевой активности в среднем у животных составил 0,542. Минимальная пищевая активность наблюдалась между 7 и 8 ч (0,344), максимальная — между 20 и 21 ч (0,667). Индекс двигательной активности варьировал от 0,222 между 6 и 7 ч до 0,717 между 15 и 16 ч. Индекс общей активности составил 0,751. Животные проявляют определенный вид активности в течение 75% суточного времени. Периоды наибольшей активности наблюдаются в 8—9 ч (0,928), 15—16 (0,878) и 20—21 (0,883) ч. В ночное время коровы менее активны, чем в дневное. Животные доились в среднем 3,8 раза в сутки, при этом низкопродуктивные — 2,8 раза, среднепродуктивные — 3,6, высокопродуктивные — 4,7 раза. Индекс пищевой активности у животных разных групп составляет 0,542—0,543. Однако животные высокопродуктивной группы принимали корм на 54 мин дольше, чем низкопродуктивные. Высокопродуктивные животные больше времени проводили стоя: индексы двигательной активности в группах составили 0,415, 0,528 и 0,556. Самыми активными были животные средней молочной продуктивности, индекс общей активности которых составил 0,762. The results of a study of the ethology of cows of Kholmogory breed of Tatarstan type in the conditions of robotic milking are presented. To analyze the results, indexes of food, motor and total activity were calculated. Cows on milk productivity are divided into 3 groups: low-productive, medium-productive and high-productive. The index of food activity of animals was 0.542. The minimum of food activity was observed between 7 and 8 hours (0.344), the maximum — between 20 and 21 hours (0.667). The motor activity index ranged from 0.222 between 6 and 7 hours to 0.717 between 15 and 16 hours. The total activity index was 0.751. Animals show a certain type of activity during 75 % of the daily time. The periods of greatest activity are observed in 8—9 (0.928), 15—16 (0.878), and 20—21 (0.883) hours. At night, cows are less active than in the daytime. Animals were milked on average 3.8 times a day, while low-productivity — 2.8 times, medium-productive — 3.6 times, high-productive — 4.7 times. The index of food activity in animals of different groups is 0.542.—.0.543. However, animals of the high-productive group ate for 54 minutes more than the low-productivity ones. Highly productive animals spend more time standing: motor activity indexes in the groups were 0.415, 0.528 and 0.556. The most active are animals of medium milk productivity, the index of total activity of which was 0.762.

758 Circadian rest-activity signatures in women with major depressive disorder

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A295-A296
Author(s):  
Hui-Wen Yang ◽  
Sarah Chellappa ◽  
Arlen Gaba ◽  
Christian Cajochen ◽  
Kun Hu
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Motor Activity ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Scaling Exponent ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Activity Rhythms ◽  
Rest Activity

Abstract Introduction Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) show disrupted circadian rhythms and sleep, including reduced daytime physical activity and poor sleep quality. However, previous findings are masked by psychotropic medication intake, co-morbid diseases and years of chronic mental illness. Here, we aim at identifying circadian motor activity patterns in unmedicated women at the onset of MDD. Methods Twelve young unmedicated women with MDD (Mean+-SD: 24.9+-5.2y; range: 18-33y) and eight age-matched healthy women (Mean+-SD: 24.5+-3.2y; range: 20-31y) participated in our study. Activity recordings were collected using wrist-worn wearable devices (actigraphs) for ~7 days in real-life settings. Cosinor analyses were performed to assess the amplitude and phase of the 24-h rest-activity activity rhythms. Non-parametric analyses were used to quantify interdaily stability and intradaily variability of the rest-activity rhythm. Furthermore, we calculated the mean activity level and scaling exponent alpha, which quantifies the temporal correlation in activity fluctuations, per 3-h bins across the 24-h sleep-wake cycle. Results Women with MDD showed a significantly higher amplitude of the 24-h rest-activity activity rhythm (Mean+-SD: 332.7+-120.8 arbitrary units) than the controls (179.7+-122.9; p=0.002), elicited by higher activity levels during the daytime (0-12h after habitual wake-up time; p&lt;0.01). In contrast, women with MDD showed a trend for lower interdaily stability levels than controls (respectively, 0.41+-0.07 and 0.46+-0.08; p=0.05). Interestingly, a significant interaction effect of “group” and “time since habitual wake” was elicited for scaling exponent alpha (p&lt;0.001). Accordingly, women with MDD had higher alpha values during habitual sleep (0–6 hours before habitual wake-up time) than controls (respectively, 1.18+-0.22 and 1.12+-0.22). Conclusion Unmedicated women at the onset of MDD had altered circadian motor activity patterns, as indexed by higher amplitude particularly during daytime while awake, less stable 24-h activity rhythms, and highly correlated activity patterns during sleep that closely resemble those typically occurring during wakefulness. These findings suggest that MDD per se may be associated with impaired rest-activity profiles. Ultimately, the use of wearable devices might hold important prospects for the early detection of individuals at risk for mood disorders. Support (if any) Swiss National Science Foundation Grants START #3100–055385.98, 3130-0544991.98 and 320000-108108; NIH RF1AG064312, RF1AG059867

Contributions to the discussion on astronomy in ancient literate societies

1974 ◽  
Vol 276 (1257) ◽  
pp. 117-121
Keyword(s):  
New World ◽  
The Other ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Summer Solstice ◽  
Winter Solstice ◽  
Vernal Equinox ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Hours ◽  
Autumnal Equinox

A. Digby (The Paddocks, Eastcombe, Stroud, Gloucestershire) I think the most striking difference between Old World and New World calendrical systems which has emerged from the papers today is the use in America of a 260-day period combining the 20 day names with the numerals 1 to 13. There is a possibility that the number thirteen may have been determined by the characteristics and shortcomings of a peculiar sundial which could be used to determine annual as well as diurnal time by showing the declination as well as the hour angle of the sun. The evidence for the existence of this instrument lies in examples of the year glyph which can be shown to be a drawing of two trapezes set at right angles on a ring. One lying north to south would cast a shadow which would move from west to east across the base of the instrument between the hours of about 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., while the other, a taller trapeze would cast a shadow that travels across the instrument in a direction from south to north and back reflecting the declination of the Sun. There is some evidence to show that the instrument was tilted with the base parallel to the axis of the Earth like a ‘polar sundial’ (paper read to a symposium on recent Mesoamerican research, Cambridge 1972). Under these conditions, the shadow would make four traverses of equal length in the course of the year: from the centre of the instrument to the northern extremity (autumnal equinox to winter solstice); north extremity to centre (winter solstice to vernal equinox); centre to south extremity (vernal equinox to summer solstice); south extremity to centre (summer solstice to autumnal equinox), each of 91J days duration.

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