Showing papers in "Biological Rhythm Research in 1983"
TL;DR: Daily injections of neurotransmitter‐affecting drugs induced spring migratory and reproductive conditions in white‐throated sparrows, Zonotrichia albicollis, during the fall and changes in the temporal relations of circadian neural activities may account for seasonal alterations of metabolism and behavior.
Abstract: Daily injections of neurotransmitter‐affecting drugs induced spring migratory and reproductive conditions in white‐throated sparrows, Zonotrichia albicollis, during the fall. Injections of DOPA (catecholamine precursor) 12 h after 5‐HTP (serotonin precursor) was most stimulatory for development of spring conditions. Summer and fall conditions followed during subsequent months in a manner similar to the natural sequence. Changes in the temporal relations of circadian neural activities may account for seasonal alterations of metabolism and behavior.
35 citations
TL;DR: DOPA injections 16 h after daily injections of 5‐HTP reduced the sizes of photoperiodically‐stimulated oviducts whereas an 8‐h relation was inhibitory for fat stores and reproductive indices.
Abstract: Daily injections of corticosterone and prolactin have been shown previously to either stimulate or inhibit reproductive and migratory indices in sparrows as a function of the time interval between injection times (Meier and Ferrell, 1978). The present studies were performed to test whether the hormonal effects can be duplicated by timed injections of drugs which influence brain neurotransmitter activities in a manner similar to that of the hormones. DOPA (catecholamine precursor) injections at 12 h after daily injections of 5‐HTP (serotonin precursor) was stimulatory for gonadal growth and body fat stores in white‐throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) whereas other time relations (3, 8, or 18 h intervals between daily injections of 5‐HTP and DOPA) were not. The 8‐h relation was inhibitory for fat stores and reproductive indices. In house sparrows (Passer domesticus), DOPA injections 16 h after daily injections of 5‐HTP reduced the sizes of photoperiodically‐stimulated oviducts whereas an 8‐h...
31 citations
TL;DR: Freerunning circadian rhythms were found in the constant conditions, and entrained nocturnal patterns occurred in most of the LD cycles, but the higher intensities of ambient illumination disrupted the freerunning rhythms.
Abstract: Because cats with pontile lesions exhibit an abnormal behavior that is under photoperiodic control, and because circadian rhythms are implicated in photoperiodic control mechanisms, an effort was made to detect circadian rhythms in the cat. Cats were isolated from all extraneous stimuli in soundproof chambers for extended periods of time. Photocells were used to monitor activity, eating and drinking in different LD cycles, in constant light at two intensities, and in constant dark. Freerunning circadian rhythms were found in the constant conditions, and entrained nocturnal patterns occurred in most of the LD cycles. The higher intensities of ambient illumination disrupted the freerunning rhythms. The freerunning rhythms were always greater than 24 h, ranging from 24.2 to 25 h. Measurements of food intake of cats living in a large colony room, obtained by weighing the food, revealed that a nocturnal pattern of entrainment was not present in the majority of the cats. Instead, most cats in the colon...
14 citations
TL;DR: Adult male badgers were housed in outdoor pens equipped with an infra‐red actographic system, in the Chize forest, and the thyroid activity was controlled by bi‐monthly or monthly measurements of plasma thyroxine concentration.
Abstract: Adult male badgers were housed in outdoor pens equipped with an infra‐red actographic system, in the Chize forest (Western France: 46°19'N; 00°24'W). Various parameters characterizing the diurnal general locomotor activity rhythm were measured: duration of the total activity phase and the actual activity outside the burrow in relation to sunset, sunrise or night duration, activity of passage and profile of seasonal variations. Simultaneously the thyroid activity was controlled by bi‐monthly or monthly measurements of plasma thyroxine concentration. 1. In the nycthemeral rhythm of general locomotor activity, there is a close synchronization between the beginning of the activity phase and sunset; nevertheless, from November to March, the beginning of activity occurs 2 h or more after sunset. The end of activity always takes place before the sunrise ("anticipation mechanism") and the delay exhibits a seasonal variation (minimum in summer, maximum in late autumn‐early winter). 2. General locomotor ac...
13 citations
TL;DR: The greater precision exhibited by bats at emergence and the lability characterizing their end of activity in the field, are also mirrored in the actograms obtained in the laboratory, and the “onset” of activity is favoured as reference value.
Abstract: The choice of an appropriate phase of reference (the reference phase) is important in determining (i) τ characteristics, (ii) α: p ratios and (iii) ? ϕ (phase shifts). Earlier authors have variously favoured the peaks (or troughs), onset, mid‐point or end of activity, center of gravity of the activity period or median values, as reference phases. We report on our work on the activity rhythms of microchiropteran bats in the tropics under field, seminatural and laboratory conditions. Facts and figures have been specially marshalled to show that the greater precision exhibited by bats at emergence and the lability characterizing their end of activity in the field, are also mirrored in the actograms obtained in the laboratory. We, therefore, favour the “onset” of activity as reference value. The onset of activity (i) is often very stable and may thus reflect the state of the basic oscillator better, (ii)unlike mid point it does not depend on the end of activity, (iii) and may be more directly under t...
11 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that the rabbit is entrained predominantly non‐parametrically, while the LD timeratio is of importance mainly for the precision of phase control.
Abstract: The circadian caecotrophy rhythm of 15 rabbits of a group 1 and 12 rabbits of a group 2 was continuously monitored in LD 12:12, 14:10, 16:8, 18:6, 20:4, and 22:2. The photoperiod was extended in opposite directions either by advancing the onset (group 1) or by delaying the end (group 2) of the photoperiod. The response of the animals to photoperiod extension differed significantly both between the groups and within either group during the different steps of photoperiod extension. Generally the caecotrophy rhythm was advanced in group one and delayed in group two. The shift rate at the respective new LD schedule was determined by the phasically changing sensitivity of the rabbit to light stimulation. The results showed that the rabbit is entrained predominantly non‐parametrically, while the LD timeratio is of importance mainly for the precision of phase control.
10 citations
TL;DR: It was found that maximal incorporation of 35S‐cysteine by the neurosecretory cells of pars intercerebralis of the brain occurs during the light period at about midday, that is during the low locomotor activity of the investigated insects.
Abstract: The experiments were carried out on the house crickets, Acheta domesticus L. reared in LD 12:12 photoperiod at 28°C. The levels of neurosecretion synthesis were studied by means of autoradiography using 35S‐cysteine as a precursor for the neurosecretory proteins. It was found that maximal incorporation of 35S‐cysteine by the neurosecretory cells of pars intercerebralis of the brain occurs during the light period at about midday, that is during the low locomotor activity of the investigated insects. During the same period, staining of neurosecretory cells with paraldehyde fuchsin indicated a relatively small accumulation of neurosecretion. During the dark period, when the crickets are very active, the incorporation of 35S‐cysteine by the neurosecretory cells of the brain is at its lowest level and the degree of accumulation of neurosecretion reaches its highest value.
10 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that in addition to the well established circadian rhythmicity infradian rhythms are present in the rat pineal gland, the possible causes of which are discussed.
Abstract: The present investigation was carried out to determine whether in the pineal gland of male Sprague‐Dawley rats infradian rhythms with respect to serotonin, serotonin‐N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) activity, and hydroxyindole‐O‐methyltransferase (HIOMT) can be detected. The serotonin data obtained over a period of 4 weeks and subjected to power spectral analysis suggest the presence of infradian rhythms in the range of 6 and 4.3 days. NAT activity, obtained over a period of 28 days, revealed a 7‐day‐rhythm. A second peak occurring at 2.3 days remained just below the significance limit. HIOMT activity studied over a period of 8 days showed no statistically significant differences between days. It is concluded that in addition to the well established circadian rhythmicity infradian rhythms are present in the rat pineal gland, the possible causes of which are discussed.
8 citations
TL;DR: The vast majority of investigators have adopted the hypothesis that each organism contained its own completely independent clock system and have sought in vain for internal timers with clock properties.
Abstract: The underlying basis of biological clocks has completely eluded scholars to the present. Its nature appears as mysterious today as it did at the turn of the century despite the vast efforts by a great many able scholars. W. Pfeffer felt compelled to conclude in 1915 that each organism contained its own completely independent clock system. The bases were his ability to reset the phase of the clock‐timed daily rhythms at will together with the observation that in constant light and temperature the period of the rhythms usually assumed some arbitrary value ("free‐running") deviating slightly from 24 hours. This conclusion appeared later to be supported by a described light‐dependence of the frequency of the free‐running, the deviations of Q10’s of periods from 1.00, and discovery of genes and chemicals which could alter the free‐running period. The vast majority of investigators have adopted this hypothesis and have sought in vain for internal timers with clock properties. A demonstrated high degree...
8 citations
TL;DR: It appeared that programmed changes in photic responses occurred both in darkness and during steady illumination but that the circadian change in amplitude of the ERG b waves was ...
Abstract: Eight rabbits were synchronized by LD 14:10 (200–250: 0 Lux). After more than 4 weeks of exposure to this Zeitgeber two types of experiment were performed on each specimen. In type I experiments the electroretinograms (ERG's) and Visually Evoked Potentials in response to 3 μsec flashes were recorded during the “day‐time‐potential” phase of the circadian rhythm, at first during steady illumination at either 1200 or 2500 Lux and thereupon in darkness, and also during the “night‐time‐potential” phase, but then firstly in darkness and afterwards during illumination with the same intensity. In type II experiments the responses to the same flashes were, again, recorded in both phases but now the sequence of illumination ‐ at identical level ‐and darkness was reversed. It appeared that programmed changes in photic responses occurred both in darkness (in type I experiments) and during steady illumination (in experiments of the other type) but that the circadian change in amplitude of the ERG b waves was ...
7 citations
TL;DR: Pituitary and serum gonadotrophic potency in C. batrachus increased along with GSI, gonadal 32P uptake and gonadal lipid and cholesterol contents during the breeding season and showed the reverse trend during the non‐breeding season, when the photoperiod was short and temperature was low.
Abstract: The gonadotrophic potency in pituitary and serum of both sexes of C. batrachus was evaluated by measuring stimulated ovarian 32P uptake in hypophysectomized H. fossilis in response to the injections of pituitary extract and serum of C. batrachus. Gonadal activity was assessed by GSI, gonadal 32P uptake and gonadal lipid and cholesterol levels. Pituitary and serum gonadotrophic potency in C. batrachus increased along with GSI, gonadal 32P uptake and gonadal lipid and cholesterol contents during the breeding season. The above period was marked with increasing photoperiod and temperature. Concentrations of lipid and cholesterol in the ovary also exhibited the similar pattern, but testicular lipid and cholesterol concentrations were low during the above period. These parameters showed the reverse trend during the non‐breeding season, when the photoperiod was short and temperature was low.
TL;DR: It is concluded that parathyroid hormone is not a prerequisite for these urinary rhythms in freely moving rats, although some changes in the time of maximum or minimum excretion also occurred.
Abstract: In freely moving rats the diurnal variation in calcium and phosphate excretion was studied before and after surgical parathyroidectomy. Food was available during either the dark or light period. The lights were on from 0800–2000, the dark phase extended from 2000–0800 h. After parathyroidectomy the urinary rhythms were still present. The most significant change was a decrease in the mean excretory rate and amplitude, although some changes in the time of maximum or minimum excretion also occurred. From this study we conclude that parathyroid hormone is not a prerequisite for these urinary rhythms.
TL;DR: The photoperiodic response curve of Pieris brassicae showed that diapause is induced by short days, and non-diapause state by several conditions (natural and non‐natural): long days, LL, DD and ultrashort days.
Abstract: Photoperiodic insects are able to distinguish between long days and short days In various models the long day response is classifically considered the “actively” induced state The short day response is thought to be “passive”, caused by failure of light to coincide with a photosensitive part of the night or failure of coincidence of constituent oscillators The photoperiodic response curve of Pieris brassicae showed that diapause is induced by short days (4–14 h), and non‐diapause state by several conditions (natural and non‐natural): long days (16 h or more), LL, DD and ultrashort days (01 h) By reciprocal transfers of larvae between non‐diapausing determining and diapause determining conditions, it was proved possible to estimate the differential capacity of four non‐diapausing conditions vs the diapausing action of LD 8: 16 in decreasing sequence: LD 16:8 > LL > DD = LD 01: 239 DD may be considered a “neutral” condition In darkness the development seems to be determined by an endogeno
TL;DR: Limulus visual thresholds were measured using psychophysical techniques over a period of almost one year and found a pronounced seasonal trend; threshold varied over a range of approximately two log units and was lowest in Summer and highest in Winter.
Abstract: Limulus visual thresholds were measured using psychophysical techniques over a period of almost one year. A pronounced seasonal trend was found; threshold varied over a range of approximately two log units and was lowest in Summer and highest in Winter. This seasonal trend had several properties: Thresholds measured over the whole year were not normally distributed: In Summer, thresholds clustered around one value. In Winter, thresholds clustered around another value two log units higher. And in Spring and Fall, thresholds were more widely distributed between the two values. Latencies were also season dependent: In both Summer and Winter, latency was a declining logarithmic function of intensity with the Summer latency versus intensity function shifted toward lower intensities. However, in Spring and Fall, the latencies declined at low intensities, then rose at intermediate intensities, and then fell again at high intensities. Individual animals exhibited day‐to‐day threshold alterations of a mag...
TL;DR: The two kinds of photoreceptors are not equally powerful in synchronizing the locomotor activity rhythm with the external LD cycle, and the compound eyes lead the information to the optic lobes which are considered to be circadian pacemakers.
Abstract: The possible role of different kind of photoreceptors in synchronization of circadian locomotor activity in cockroaches is presently still contradictory. We try to clarify the part played by the compound eyes and the ocelli with lesion and black‐varnishing experiments. The locomotor activity of isolated animals is automatically recorded in ring‐shaped cages equiped with infra‐red beams. Circadian rhythms are detected by using the Whittaker and Robinson periodogram.
We obtained the following results:
- Animals submitted to a shifting of their LD cycle keep the ability to synchronize with the new photocycle when their ocelli are destroyed or black‐varnished. When the eyes are destroyed or varnished, animals start free‐running or become arrhythmic.
- Animals kept in IX from the eggs and submitted to a photocycle after the operation become rhythmic with ocelli destroyed or black‐varnished. With destroyed eyes, they stay arrhythmic. Only a few become rhythmic with black‐varnished eyes.
- These results support Roberts, Nishiitsutsuji‐Uwo and Pittendrigh, Sokolove and Page results. The two kinds of photoreceptors are not equally powerful in synchronizing the locomotor activity rhythm with the external LD cycle. The compound eyes lead the information to the optic lobes which are considered to be circadian pacemakers. We still need to ask if they are the only circadian pacemakers in the insect brain.
TL;DR: Cycle regression analysis, a new cycle extraction procedure based on nonlinear regression techniques is presented in this article, and a comparison of the results in predicting civil violence is made between this new procedure and Alcock and Quittner's stepwise multiple linear regression technique.
Abstract: Cycle Regression Analysis, a new cycle extraction procedure based on nonlinear regression techniques is presented. A comparison of the results in predicting civil violence is made between this new procedure and Alcock and Quittner's step‐wise multiple linear regression technique.
TL;DR: There is objective criteria by which an automated identification of cell cycle stages is possible in structural terms, and the changes of chromatin organization and condensation between G1 and G2 of the cell cycle were studied.
Abstract: The changes of chromatin organization and condensation between G1 and G2 of the cell cycle were studied in a monocot and a dicot plant species and digitized with different systems. It is shown that there are objective criteria by which an automated identification of cell cycle stages is possible in structural terms.
TL;DR: Direct induction of the movement and determination of the phase can be attained only by light‐intensity steps with wavelengths below 500 nm, and far‐red (734 nm) enhances the tendency of self‐excitation of the free‐running oscillation.
Abstract: Circadian leaf movements in Oxalis are damped by continuous white light. In contrast, light‐intensity steps initiate and determine phase relations and amplitude of the movement. To test the stimulating influence of different light qualities, the plants were released to continuous white light of 150 lux (or 500 lux, resp.) to provide damping of the rhythm. To this basic white light, LD‐schedules of monochromatic light 12:12 (0,17 mW cm–2: 0) were added. By this method the influence of light‐off and light‐on of monochromatic light could be studied avoiding self‐excitation in the case of physiological darkness. We obtained two results from these experiments: Direct induction of the movement and determination of the phase can be attained only by light‐intensity steps with wavelengths below 500 nm. This is valid within 404 nm to 734 nm. Although not initiating a direct acceleration of the movement, far‐red (734 nm) enhances the tendency of self‐excitation of the free‐running oscillation. Thus, the dam...
TL;DR: An undisturbed circadian cycle of pain sensation exists over weekends when the patients get no medical treatment, and women have a lower pain sensation than men.
Abstract: The circadian, weekly and annual rhythm of pain sensation in syndromes of the lumbar area is studied and the effect of exogenous factors shown The following numerical results were obtained: An undisturbed circadian cycle of pain sensation exists over weekends when the patients get no medical treatment Women have a lower pain sensation than men The pain sensation is correlated to the seasons, depending on sex The consideration of the cycle of pain sensation should be useful for the treatment of lumbar syndromes
TL;DR: The data suggest that in E.L.4 cells the rhythm of GAPD activity, but not ADA activity, is influenced by a factor which is not intrinsic to the E. L.L.'s cells, and that the same factor may influenceGAPD, butNot ADA, rhythm within the thymus.
Abstract: The circadian rhythm of activity of the enzyme glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) in E.L.4 ascites cells varies according to the genotype of the host mouse in which the cells are grown. This is not the case for the circadian rhythm of adenosine deaminase (ADA), which is the same in all hosts, at least within the range of genotypes studied. The relationship between host genotype and the rhythm of GAPD and ADA activity is the same as that between genotype and the rhythms of these enzymes in normal thymus cells. Taken together the data suggest that in E.L.4 cells the rhythm of GAPD activity, but not ADA activity, is influenced by a factor which is not intrinsic to the E.L.4 cells, and that the same factor may influenceGAPD, but not ADA, rhythm within the thymus.
TL;DR: In conclusion, misonidazole is supposed to inhibit cellular oxygen consumption in vitro, depending upon certain conditions such as MIS concentration, and cellular content of various substrates.
Abstract: Misonidazole, a heterocyclic nitrocompound shown to act as hypoxic cell radiosensitizer, is supposed to inhibit cellular oxygen consumption in vitro, depending upon certain conditions such as MIS concentration, and cellular content of various substrates. The effect of intraperitoneal injection of MIS at doses of 0.5 mg/g body weight, at 8 different time‐points during the 24‐h cycle, on the oxygen utilization of hepatic cellular homogenates of female Balb/c mice was investigated. A statistically significant rhythmicity was detected by analysis of variance among the O2 uptake values of control homogenates, whereas this rhythmicity was altered by treatment with MIS: inhibition of O2 consumption appeared when MIS was injected at 18.00 h or at 21.00 h, coinciding in time with the acrophase of the physiological rhythm of control O2 uptake.
TL;DR: A case study of a clinical experiment where the variability observed in the results could be explained only after considering a broader, more complex definition of the environment.
Abstract: Although many classical studies of natural ecosystems consider the effect of a variety of environmental variables on data interpretation, that broad, systematic approach has not yet filtered down to more controlled biological studies. Laboratory and field experiments are often designed and analyzed under a restrictively simple definition of the environment. We present a case study of a clinical experiment where the variability observed in the results could be explained only after considering a broader, more complex definition of the environment. As part of a larger experiment examining the effect of 60Co radiation on canine cell‐mediated immunity, whole blood lymphocyte stimulation tests were done with blood collected monthly from seven dogs exposed to two different levels of 60Co irradiation and from four control dogs, for a period of three years, from 1977 to 1980, under semi‐controlled experimental conditions. Preliminary analysis of these 407 observations showed concurrent fluctuations in imm...
TL;DR: In this paper, the Bonhoeffer-Van der Pol type oscillators coupled together on a digital computer via a feedback network that is a function of the average activities of the adjoined units.
Abstract: Quasi‐entrainment, characterized by a fluctuating latency in the presence of one‐to‐one frequency entrainment, has been elicited in two Bonhoeffer‐Van der Pol type oscillators coupled together on a digital computer via a feedback network that is a function of the average activities of the adjoined units. Such behavior was observed only when specially constructed sigmoidal coupling functions were in place. In contrast, with linear functions in place, the constellation of resulting stable or unstable equilibrium points made the system orbitally stable or unstable depending on initial conditions. Based on the coupling function and system architecture a criterion for predicting ultimate behaviors is developed and tested. Results are contrasted with fluctuating latencies previously observed in loosely coupled heart cell aggregates.