Document Detail


Effects of light on the circadian activity rhythm of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) with delayed activity onset.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20205560     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A number of Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) of our institute show activity patterns that seem incompatible with proper adjustment to a periodic environment. The activity onset of those animals is continuously delayed, whereas the activity offset is stably coupled to "lights-on", leading to compression of activity time. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the possible causes of the deteriorated ability of DAO (delayed activity onset) hamsters to synchronize. Thus, we investigated the properties of the endogenous circadian rhythm plus parametric and non-parametric light effects on hamsters of DAO and Wild type (WT) phenotypes. Free-running rhythms were studied in constant darkness (DD) or constant light (LL) of different intensities (1, 10, 100 lux). To investigate photic phase responses, hamsters were kept in DD and exposed to light pulses (100 lux, 15 min), at circadian time (CT) CT14 and CT22. Differences were verified statistically by ANOVA. Light intensity exerted significant effect on the free-running period (tau). In DD, tau was significantly longer in DAO than WT hamsters. With increasing light intensity, tau lengthened in both phenotypes, though not at a similar rate. In 10 and 100 lux LL, however, tau did not differ between the two phenotypes. The robustness of the circadian activity rhythm was highest in DD and decreased in LL. No differences between phenotypes were noted. The percentage of arrhythmic animals was low in DD, but remarkably high in LL, and always higher in WT hamsters. The total amount of activity/day was highest in DD; DAO hamsters were less active than WT hamsters under each lighting condition. Light pulses induced phase delays when applied at CT14 and phase advances at CT22, with advances being stronger than delays. Also at CT14, the response of the activity onset was stronger than the activity offset. The opposite was observed at CT22. At CT14, the phase response did not differ between the phenotypes. However, at CT22 the phase advance was significantly weaker in DAO than WT hamsters despite their longer tau. The results provide further evidence that the distinct activity pattern of DAO hamsters is due to an altered interaction between the circadian clock and photic zeitgeber.
Authors:
Konrad Schottner; Dietmar Weinert
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Chronobiology international     Volume:  27     ISSN:  1525-6073     ISO Abbreviation:  Chronobiol. Int.     Publication Date:  2010 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-03-08     Completed Date:  2010-05-25     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8501362     Medline TA:  Chronobiol Int     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  95-110     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Institute of Biology/Zoology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06108 Halle, Germany.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Circadian Rhythm / physiology*,  radiation effects*
Cricetinae
Female
Male
Models, Biological
Motor Activity / physiology,  radiation effects
Phenotype
Phodopus / physiology*
Photic Stimulation
Photoperiod
Statistics, Nonparametric

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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