Central neural control of pineal melatonin synthesis in the rat.
To investigate a possible central neural influence on nocturnal pineal metabolic activity in rats, frontal transsections of the stria medullaris thalami were conducted. Enzymes involved in melatonin synthesis, i.e. N-acetyltransferase and hydroxyindole-O-methyl-transferase, exhibited reduced activities in operated animals when compared to controls. These results indicate a modulatory role of central structures on nocturnal pineal indole metabolism.
D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003624:Darkness; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques
D000121:Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase; D001191:Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase; D008550:Melatonin