Melatonin infusions restore sleep suppressed by continuous bright light in pigeons.
Constant bright light (LL) suppresses 24-h melatonin and many other behavioral and physiological rhythms in pigeons. LL also strongly suppresses sleep. Daily melatonin infusions in LL restore sleep to normal nocturnal levels of a light-dark cycle and continuous infusions sustain it for at least 10 days. Restoration of sleep in LL by melatonin indicates its key role in avian sleep mechanisms.
Phillips
N H
NH
Department of Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz 95064.
Berger
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D010856:Columbidae; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004585:Electrooculography / Q000187:drug effects; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008027:Light; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects
D008550:Melatonin