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Published on: July 30, 2016
Maternal melatonin effects on clock gene expression in a nonhuman primate fetus
C Torres-Farfan1, V Rocco, C Monsó
1Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114D, Santiago, Chile.
Endocrinology
|July 15, 2006
Summary
Maternal melatonin influences fetal circadian rhythms in capuchin monkeys, specifically entraining the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). However, it does not appear to affect the adrenal gland
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Mammalian circadian systems rely on the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and peripheral oscillators for adaptation.
- Maternal melatonin is a potential entrainer of fetal circadian rhythms in primates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of maternal melatonin in entraining fetal circadian rhythms in capuchin monkeys.
- To examine the expression of clock genes and melatonin receptors in fetal tissues.
Main Methods:
- Assessed expression of clock genes (Bmal-1, Per-2, Cry-2, Clock) and melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) in fetal SCN and adrenal glands.
- Manipulated maternal melatonin levels and observed effects on fetal gene expression and plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate rhythms.
Main Results:
- Clock genes and MT1 exhibited oscillatory expression in fetal SCN and adrenal glands.
- Maternal melatonin suppression altered fetal SCN gene expression, effects reversed by replacement.
- Maternal melatonin did not affect fetal adrenal gene expression or plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate rhythms.
Conclusions:
- Maternal melatonin acts as a Zeitgeber for the fetal SCN in capuchin monkeys.
- Maternal melatonin does not appear to entrain the fetal adrenal gland or its associated rhythms.
