0000000000654401
AUTHOR
C. Demaine
Electrical responses of pineal cells to melatonin and putative transmitters
The effects of microelectrophoretically applied melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine), noradrenaline (NOR) or acetylcholine (ACH) on the electrical activity of pineal cells during both the day- and night-time were studied in urethane anesthetised guinea-pigs. A total of 288 cells were tested with melatonin, and in addition with either NOR (120 cells) or ACH (138 cells). Of the 206 cells responding to melatonin application, 139 were excited and 67 inhibited. A total of 85 cells responded to the application of NOR, 45 being excited and 40 inhibited. Responses to ACH application were observed in 75 pineal cells, 49 units being inhibited and 26 excited. It was possible to observe excitation…
The effects of sex hormones, prolactin, and chorionic gonadotropin on pineal electrical activity in guinea pigs.
Microelectrophoretic application of sex hormones onto pineal cells in guinea pigs has shown different responses in pregnant females as compared to males. In pregnant females estrone caused excitation in 74% of the cells tested, while progesterone and testosterone, prolactin, and HCG were inhibitory in a majority of the cells tested, while progesterone and testosterone, prolactin, and HCG were inhibitory in a majority of the cells. In contrast, in males estrone caused excitation of only 19% but inhibition of 37%. A smaller percentage of cells was inhibited by progesterone, while the predominant response to testosterone was excitation. These results suggest that the pineal gland may be under …
The Effects of Microelectrophoretically Applied Melatonin, Putative Transmitters, Thyroxine and Sex Hormones on the Electrical Activity of Pineal Cells in the Guinea-pig
ABSTRACT The effects of microelectrophoretic application of melatonin, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, thyroxine, testosterone and oestrone on pineal cell electrical activity were evaluated. With the exception of acetylcholine and oestrone pineal cells showed a circadian rhythm in sensitivity to the application of the substances. It is apparent from these studies, that (1) transmitters and hormones can bring about direct changes in the firing frequency of pineal cells, (2) all pineal cells do not respond to these substances in the same way and (3) that melatonin either produced in the pineal organ or reaching the gland via the general circulation may be capable of directly influencing the cel…