Hi fellows,
Does any body know if the synthesis of melatonin differs between diurnal and nocturnal mammals? Diurnal species receive and configure their circadian system by interpreting the changes from diurnal to nocturnal levels of light, but what about nocturnal species? Do they follow the same path?
Melatonin is synthesized and secreted during the dark period of the daily light/ dark cycle, independent of whether the animal is diurnally or nocturnally active, and the duration of the nocturnal production is proportional to the length of the night. Generally, melatonin synthesis and its excretion increased in darkness in both humans and experimental animals. Constant light leads to diminishing activity of HIOMT in the rats and a reduction in the melatonin production of the pineal gland.
Does melatonin release in nocturnal animals have any impact at all on the sleep-wake cycle, or does it play no role at all? (I'm wondering if it stimulates wakefulness or maybe just serves some other purpose in circadian rhythms independent of sleep/wake.)
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