Temperature-compensated circadian clock in the pineal of Anolis.

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Abstract
The pineal organ of the lizard A. carolinensis can be maintained for up to 10 days in superfused organ culture. During this time it synthesizes and releases melatonin into the medium flowing slowly over it. Collection of timed aliquots of medium and subsequent analysis for melatonin by radioimmunoassay reveal circadian rhythms of melatonin output by the isolated pineal. These rhythms persist for many cycles in constant darkness and at several constant ambient temperatures ranging from 22.degree.-37.degree. C. The period of the rhythm is temperature-compensated (Q10 .apprxeq. 1.14) and the rhythm is synchronized by light-dark cycles imposed on the cultured gland. This isolated vertebrate organ displays the 3 major properties of circadian systems and must therefore contain 1 or more circadian oscillators.