Effect of stress and dexamethasone treatment on circadian rhythms of melatonin and corticosterone in ring dove (Streptopelia risoria).
The possible relationship between the circadian rhythm of blood levels of melatonin and corticosterone in ring dove (Streptopelia risoria) subjected to both immobilization stress and immobilization stress plus dexamethasone treatment were studied. The results show changes in the circadian rhythm of melatonin, with increased daytime levels in situations of stress accompanied by increased corticosterone levels. The highest blood melatonin levels over the 24 h of the study were obtained when the animals were treated with dexamethasone and then subjected to stress. Given the antioxidant role of melatonin, our results support the idea ofmelatonin-corticosterone coupling with the possibility that melatonin released in situations of stress counteracts the adverse effects of glucocorticoids on the organism.
Barriga
Carmen
C
Department of Physiology, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain. cibars@unex.es
Marchena
Jose María
JM
Lea
Robert William
RW
Harvey
Steve
S
Rodríguez
Ana Beatriz
AB
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D010856:Columbidae / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors
D003907:Dexamethasone; D008550:Melatonin; D003345:Corticosterone