Melatonin and thermoregulation in ectothermic vertebrates: a review

被引:35
作者
Lutterschmidt, DI
Lutterschmidt, WI [1 ]
Hutchison, VH
机构
[1] Sam Houston State Univ, Dept Biol Sci, Huntsville, TX 77341 USA
[2] Oregon State Univ, Dept Zool, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA
[3] Univ Oklahoma, Dept Zool, Norman, OK 73019 USA
关键词
D O I
10.1139/Z02-189
中图分类号
Q95 [动物学];
学科分类号
071002 ;
摘要
Precise behavioral thermoregulation is well documented in many ectothermic vertebrates. However, many complexities involving the influence of the pineal gland and melatonin (MEL) on thermoregulatory behavior, and thus body temperature (T-b), remain unresolved. Although MEL is commonly considered to decrease T-b in both endotherms and ectotherms, several ectothermic species do not modulate T-b in response to MEL. Furthermore, it is not yet clear how MEL integrates thermoregulatory behavior with environmental stimuli or how it modulates T-b. Some inferences about MEL action in endotherms are not applicable to ectotherms. Changes in ectothermic T-b are mediated primarily through behavioral modulation (not physiological modulation as in endotherms). Thus, the most likely mechanism underlying MEL's actions on ectothermic T-b is adjustment of the temperature set point in the hypothalamus. We provide a review of the literature addressing the effects of MEL on thermoregulatory behavior in ectothermic vertebrates. We also discuss mechanisms underlying MEL's influence on physiological and behavioral processes in ectotherms and hypotheses regarding interspecific differences in pineal complex and MEL function.
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页码:1 / 13
页数:13
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