Changes in the concentration of urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin during a week of simulated night work

The aim of the study was to examine the adaptation of participants to a common night work schedule using urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) concentration as the circadian phase marker. Fifteen adults (7 male, 8 female, age = 21.9 yr) spent nine consecutive nights in the laboratory, including: (i) adaptation sleep, (ii) baseline sleep, and (iii) seven simulated night shifts (23:00-07:00 h) followed by daytime sleep. During the baseline and daytime sleeps, participants collected urine samples which were subsequently assayed for aMT6s. The concentration of aMT6s in urine for the first three day sleeps was significantly lower than for the baseline sleep, but there was no difference in aMT6s concentrations between any of the last three day sleeps and the baseline sleep. The data indicate that people may adapt to a pattern of work that includes seven consecutive night shifts if they adhere to a fixed sleep schedule, if their exposure to morning sunlight is minimised, and if they are provided with an ideal sleep environment.