This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by BARTNESS, T. J. Articles by WADE, G. N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by BARTNESS, T. J. Articles by WADE, G. N.

Photoperiodic Control of Body Weight and Energy Metabolism in Syrian Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus): Role of Pineal Gland, Melatonin, Gonads, and Diet^*

TIMOTHY J. BARTNESS and GEORGE N. WADE

Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts 01003

Abstract

The effects of photoperiod and the pineal hormone melatonin on the regulation of body weight and energy metabolism were examined in Syrian hamsters, Mesocricetus auratus. Short photoperiod-housed female and male hamsters showed increases in body weight gain, feed efficiency, carcass lipid, brown adipose tissue mass, and thermogenic capacity. These effects of short photoperiods were mimicked by afternoon melatonin injections to hamsters in long-day photoperiods and were exaggerated in hamsters fed high fat diets. To determine the role of the gonads in these effects, ovariectomized hamsters were treated similarly and found to exhibit changes in body weight and energy metabolism that were 80–90% of those in gonadally intact hamsters. The role of the pineal gland in short photoperiod-induced body weight gain was examined in shampinealectomized and pinealectomized hamsters. Short photoperiod-induced increases in body weight were seen in both pinealectomized and sham-pinealectomized hamsters. Thus, pinealectomy blocks the effects of short photoperiods on reproductive function and thyroid activity, but not on body weight regulation.

These results suggest that the effects of short photoperiods on body weight and energy metabolism are mediated by multiple, redundant mechanisms involving decreases in gonadal hormone secretion, changes in melatonin secretion, and gonad- and pineal-independent changes. All of the effects of short photoperiods are exaggerated in hamsters fed a high fat diet. These changes may represent adaptive preparatory responses that enhance winter survival in Syrian hamsters. (Endocrinology 114: 492, 1984)

Footnotes

^* This work was supported by Research Grants NS-10873 and AM-20785 from the NIH and Research Scientist Development Award MH-00321 from the NIMH.

Present address: Neuroendocrine Research Laboratory, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417.

To whom all correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received June 6, 1983.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. Pang, C. Li, Y. Zhao, S. Wang, W. Dong, P. Jiang, and J. Zhang The Environmental Light Influences the Circulatory Levels of Retinoic Acid and Associates with Hepatic Lipid Metabolism Endocrinology, December 1, 2008; 149(12): 6336 - 6342. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Krol, P. Redman, P. J. Thomson, R. Williams, C. Mayer, J. G. Mercer, and J. R. Speakman Effect of photoperiod on body mass, food intake and body composition in the field vole, Microtus agrestis J. Exp. Biol., February 1, 2005; 208(3): 571 - 584. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J. Prendergast, A. K. Hotchkiss, S. D. Bilbo, and R. J. Nelson Peripubertal Immune Challenges Attenuate Reproductive Development in Male Siberian Hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) Biol Reprod, March 1, 2004; 70(3): 813 - 820. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. CANNON and J. NEDERGAARD Brown Adipose Tissue: Function and Physiological Significance Physiol Rev, January 1, 2004; 84(1): 277 - 359. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. W. Ross, C. A. Webster, J. G. Mercer, K. M. Moar, F. J. Ebling, S. Schuhler, P. Barrett, and P. J. Morgan Photoperiodic Regulation of Hypothalamic Retinoid Signaling: Association of Retinoid X Receptor {gamma} with Body Weight Endocrinology, January 1, 2004; 145(1): 13 - 20. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Morgan, H. F. Urbanski, W. Fan, H. Akil, and R. D. Cone Pheromone-induced anorexia in male Syrian hamsters Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, November 1, 2003; 285(5): E1028 - E1038. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Zhou, F. R. A. Cagampang, J. A. Stirland, A. S. I. Loudon, and S. J. Hopkins Different Photoperiods Affect Proliferation of Lymphocytes but Not Expression of Cellular, Humoral, or Innate Immunity in Hamsters J Biol Rhythms, October 1, 2002; 17(5): 392 - 405. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. J. Bartness, G. E. Demas, and C. K. Song Seasonal Changes in Adiposity: the Roles of the Photoperiod, Melatonin and Other Hormones, and Sympathetic Nervous System Experimental Biology and Medicine, June 1, 2002; 227(6): 363 - 376. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G. Mercer, K. M. Moar, T. J. Logie, P. A. Findlay, C. L. Adam, and P. J. Morgan Seasonally Inappropriate Body Weight Induced by Food Restriction: Effect on Hypothalamic Gene Expression in Male Siberian Hamsters Endocrinology, October 1, 2001; 142(10): 4173 - 4181. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. K. Song and T. J. Bartness CNS sympathetic outflow neurons to white fat that express MEL receptors may mediate seasonal adiposity Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, August 1, 2001; 281(2): R666 - R672. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G. Mercer, K. M. Moar, A. W. Ross, N. Hoggard, and P. J. Morgan Photoperiod regulates arcuate nucleus POMC, AGRP, and leptin receptor mRNA in Siberian hamster hypothalamus Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, January 1, 2000; 278(1): R271 - R281. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. R. Gorman, D. A. Freeman, and I. Zucker Photoperiodism in Hamsters: Abrupt Versus Gradual Changes in Day Length Differentially Entrain Morning and Evening Circadian Oscillators J Biol Rhythms, April 1, 1997; 12(2): 122 - 135. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Kasper, T. A. Wehr, J. J. Bartko, P. A. Gaist, and N. E. Rosenthal Epidemiological Findings of Seasonal Changes in Mood and Behavior: A Telephone Survey of Montgomery County, Maryland Arch Gen Psychiatry, September 1, 1989; 46(9): 823 - 833. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Heldmaier, S. Steinlechner, T. Ruf, H. Wiesinger, and M. Klingenspor Photoperiod and Thermoregulation in Vertebrates: Body Temperature Rhythms and Thermogenic Acclimation J Biol Rhythms, June 1, 1989; 4(2): 139 - 153. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. L. Badura, K. K. Kelly, and A. A. Nunez Knife Cuts Lateral but Not Dorsal to the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Abolish Gonadal Responses to Photoperiod in Female Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) J Biol Rhythms, March 1, 1989; 4(1): 79 - 91. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Smale, J. Dark, and I. Zucker Pineal and Photoperiodic Influences on Fat Deposition, Pelage, and Testicular Activity in Male Meadow Voles J Biol Rhythms, December 1, 1988; 3(4): 349 - 355. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. Mrosovsky Seasonal Affective Disorder, Hibernation, and Annual Cycles in Animals: Chipmunks in the Sky J Biol Rhythms, January 1, 1988; 3(2): 189 - 207. [PDF]

				A. S. Fleming, D. S. Scardicchio, and L. G. Scardicchio Photoperiodic and Pineal Effects on Food Intake, Food Retrieval, and Body Weight in Female Syrian Hamsters J Biol Rhythms, December 1, 1986; 1(4): 285 - 301. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L Tamarkin, C. Baird, and O. Almeida Melatonin: a coordinating signal for mammalian reproduction? Science, February 15, 1985; 227(4688): 714 - 720. [Abstract] [PDF]