Single injections of triazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, lengthen the period of the circadian activity rhythm in golden hamsters

Single injections of the benzodiazepine, triazolam, induce phase shifts and cause a lengthening of the circadian activity rhythm in the golden hamster. The effect of triazolam on period depends on the phase of injection, but is not dependent on the direction of the phase shifts. Triazolam injections caused increases in period that were associated with phase advances as well as phase delays in the activity rhythm. This relationship between triazolam-induced phase shifts and changes in period is different from the relationship between light-induced phase shifts and period changes.     

Single injections of triazolam,a short-acting benzodiazepine,lengthen the period of the circadian activity rhythm in golden hamsters

Single injections of the benzodiazepine, triazolam, induce phase shifts and cause a lengthening of the circadian activity rhythm in the golden hamster. The effect of triazolam on period depends on the phase of injection, but is not dependent on the direction of the phase shifts. Triazolam injections caused increases in period that were associated with phase advances as well as phase delays in the activity rhythm. This relationship between triazolam-induced phase shifts and changes in period is different from the relationship between light-induced phase shifts and period changes.     

A phase response curve for the locomotor activity rhythm of the rat

Summary A phase response curve was obtained for the locomotor activity rhythm of the rat,Mus norvegicus albicus, by interrupting a free-running rhythm with light signals of short duration. The response curve obtained was continuous and had the switch-over point at the position of 2 h before the acrophase, followed by the portion of advancing phase shift. The pattern of the curve was typical for the nocturnal rodent.     

On the genetics of a circadian rhythm inDrosophila

Zusammenfassung Das tagesperiodische Muster des Sauerstoffverbrauches von Drosophilamutanten weist mehr oder weniger grosse Unterschiede zwischen den Geschlechtern auf: von zwei Maxima ist das abendliche bei den Weibchen stärker ausgeprägt als bei den Männchen, bei denen das Morgenmaximum relativ höher ist. Aus Versuchen mit Superweibchen und Intersexen sowie aus Kreuzungsexperimenten scheint hervorzugehen, dass das Verhältnis vonX-Chromosomen zu Autosomen bei der Ausprägung der beiden Maxima eine Rolle spielt.     

Further studies on the circadian rhythm in the proliferative activity of mouse intestinal epithelium

Zusammenfassung Im Tagesrhythmus der Proliferationstätigkeit von Darmepithelien wurde in drei verschiedenen Parametern um 02.00 Uhr ein Maximum gefunden. Mögliche Mechanismen werden erörtert.     

The effect of eating behavior on the circadian rhythm of plasma corticosterone in growing rats]

The circadian rhythm of plasma corticosterone was studied in growing Rats fed on an ad libitum or controlled feeding schedule (six meals per day). Circadian plasma corticosterone rhythm was conventional in ad libitum Rats. Increases of circulating hormone occurred during the last light hours and the first dark hours. Plasma corticosterone rhythm was modified by controlled feeding. Meal feeders exhibited a high value during the last light hours and a secondary hump at midnight. Feeding schedule was not the main synchronizing factor in rat circadian corticosterone rhythm.     

Pentobarbital-induced phase shifts of circadian rhythms of locomotor activity are not mediated through stimulated activity in mice

Summary The possibility that phase shifts of circadian rhythms of locomotor activity induced by pentobarbital injections are mediated through hyperactivity after recovery from the sedative condition was tested in DBA/2 mice. The mice were restrained for 3 h in a tube immediately after injections of pentobarbital at either CT 9 or CT 0. The results indicated that immobilization did not block the phase shifts, suggesting that pentobarbital-induced phase shifts are not due to increasing the level of activity.     

Continuous light abolishes the maternal entrainment of the circadian activity rhythm of the pups in the field mouse

12:12-h cycles of presence and absence of mother mouse act as a 'zeitgeber' and entrain the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity in the pups of Mus booduga under continuous darkness or continuous dim light. Continuous higher illumination of 15-25 lx abolishes this impressive maternal entrainment.     

Continuous light abolishes the maternal entrainment of the circadian activity rhythm of the pups in the field mouse

Summary 1212-h cycles of presence and absence of mother mouse act as a zeitgeber and entrain the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity in the pups ofMus booduga under continuous darkness or continuous dim light. Continuous higher illumination of 15–25 lx abolishes this impressive maternal entrainment.Acknowledgment. We are grateful to the DST, Government of India, for financial support under their IRHPA scheme. N.V. is the recipient of a Senior Research Fellowship of CSIR, New Delhi. We thank Dr. R. Subbaraj for discussions.     

Splitting of the circadian activity rhythm in common marmosets (Callithrix j. jacchus; primates)

Long-term recordings of the free-running circadian activity rhythm in common marmosets, Callithrix j. jacchus, living under constant environmental conditions (LL 200-470 lx) provided evidence of rhythm splitting in nonhuman primates. In two out of ten test animals two different types of splitting occurred; spontaneous persistent splitting and temporary splitting. Neither a reduction of the illumination intensity nor the application of dark pulses had any effect on the two activity components of the persistently split rhythm.     

Phase-shift and memorization of the circadian rhythm of transpiration ofTamarix aphylla

Summary The control of the circadian rhythm of transpiration inTamarix aphylla seems to include two distinct components: an externally induced one, that is initiated by the light on signal, and an endogenous clock, whose memorization of the period length is independent of the instant environmental signal.This investigation was carried out at the Tel Aviv University and supported by the MINERVA foundation and by the DFG.