Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The pineal complex in Roman high avoidance and Roman low avoidance rats.

A Seidel1, J A Sousa Neto, A Huesgen

  • 1Department of Anatomy, University of Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.

Journal of Neural Transmission. General Section
|January 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary

Roman high avoidance (RHA/Verh) rats exhibit enhanced pineal gland activity and melatonin production compared to low avoidance (RLA/Verh) rats. This study reveals differences in pineal ultrastructure and function between these rat lines.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Open vs. arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis: a comprehensive umbrella review of outcomes and complications.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2025
Same author

Smoking-related complications in foot and ankle surgery: a systematic review.

European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2025
Same author

Dairy cow personality: Consistency in a familiar testing environment.

JDS communications·2024
Same author

Into the Blue: First in Man Data on Diving Physiology in Fontan Patients.

Pediatric cardiology·2022
Same author

The impact of lipid distribution, composition and mobility on xylem water refilling of the resurrection plant Myrothamnus flabellifolia.

The New phytologist·2021
Same author

[Lung transplantation : Histomorphological diagnosis and clinical aspects].

Der Pathologe·2019

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Chronobiology
  • Animal Behavior Genetics

Background:

  • Previous research indicated size differences in the pineal gland between Roman high avoidance (RHA/Verh) and Roman low avoidance (RLA/Verh) rats.
  • The pineal gland's role in melatonin production and its regulation is crucial for circadian rhythms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate functional and ultrastructural differences in the pineal gland between RHA/Verh and RLA/Verh rats.
  • To compare melatonin production, enzyme activities, and pineal morphology in relation to avoidance behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Enzyme activity assays for serotonin-N-acetyl-transferase and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase.
  • Measurement of indoleamine and noradrenaline content.
  • Morphometric analysis of pineal complex volume.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Electron microscopy to examine synaptic ribbons and daily rhythms.

    • Main Results:

    • RHA/Verh rats showed approximately double the melatonin production activity and higher indoleamine content compared to RLA/Verh rats.
    • Serum melatonin levels were elevated in RHA/Verh rats during both light and dark phases.
    • Morphometric and electron microscopic analyses revealed enlarged pineal volumes and increased synaptic ribbons in RHA/Verh rats, with a day/night rhythm observed only in June.

    Conclusions:

    • Divergent selection for avoidance behavior in closely related rat lines leads to significant differences in pineal gland function and ultrastructure.
    • Pineal gland activity and melatonin synthesis are enhanced in RHA/Verh rats, correlating with their behavioral traits.
    • Ultrastructural features, such as synaptic ribbons, and their daily rhythms are modulated by genetic selection and potentially seasonal factors.