Day-night rhythm of rat pineal tyrosine hydroxylase activity as determined by HPLC with amperometric detection

Tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the rat pineal gland was measured by means of HPLC determination of the amount of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine formed. Enzyme activity showed a clear day-night rhythm, paralleling that of plasma melatonin levels in the same animals, with values being high during the dark period apparently because of changes in Vmax. In animals maintained under constant illumination for 3 days, tyrosine hydroxylase activity and plasma melatonin level rhythms were completely abolished, a result indicating that both are under photoperiodic control.