DIURNAL-VARIATION IN EFFECT OF MELATONIN ON PLASMA AND MUSCLE FREE FATTY-ACID LEVELS IN PIGEON

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 10  (2) , 131-137
Abstract
Pigeons maintained on standard diet and held under 12 h daily photoperiod in a controlled environmental room, were given i.v. injections of melatonin. A low dose (1.25 mg/kg body wt) of melatonin when given in the middle of the scotophase, increased plasma FFA [free fatty acids] when estimated at 20 min and 90 min post-injection; no significant change was seen with injections given in the middle of the photophase. No significant change in muscle FFA level was obtained either during the photophase or the scotophase when estimated at 90 min post-injection. With a higher dose (5 mg/kg body wt) of melatonin given in the scotophase, on the other hand, a significant increase in both plasma and muscle FFA levels was obtained at 90 min post-injection, but there was no effect on plasma FFA at 20 min or 90 min post-injection in the photophase and at 20 min in the scotophase. Melatonin has a lipid mobilizing action in the pigeon when administered during the scotophase.

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