The master clock and its timing of hormonal release
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1
University of Washington, Biology, United States
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2
University of Washington, Neurobiology and Behavior, United States
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3
Seattle University, Biology, United States
The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) contains a master circadian clock that regulates the timing of physiological and behavioral processes. This regulation is achieved through neural and humoral input to other brain centers that directly regulate these processes, as well as through input to extra-SCN and peripheral circadian oscillators that can presumably regulate physiology and behavior locally. The release of hormones is under striking circadian regulation; yet, the pathways by which the SCN times the release of hormones and the specific SCN neurons that are critical for this regulation are not completely clear. We will present data on the regulation of three key endocrine circadian rhythms, the release of melatonin, glucocorticoids and luteinizing hormone in females. To further understand the pathways through which the SCN governs the release of these hormones we exploit the independent oscillation of neuronal oscillators in the forced desynchronized rat and the split hamster, as unique neurologically, genetically and pharmacologically intact animal models.
Acknowledgements
NIH R01 MH075016
NIH R03 HD061853
NIH PHS NRSA 2T32 GM007270
Keywords:
circadian,
Glucocorticoids,
Luteinizing Hormone,
Melatonin,
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Conference:
NASCE 2011: The inaugural meeting of the North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology, Ann Arbor, United States, 13 Jul - 16 Jul, 2011.
Presentation Type:
Invited Symposium
Topic:
Biological rhythms
Citation:
De La Iglesia
HO,
Lilley
TR,
Schwartz
MD,
Smarr
B and
Wotus
C
(2011). The master clock and its timing of hormonal release.
Front. Endocrinol.
Conference Abstract:
NASCE 2011: The inaugural meeting of the North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fendo.2011.04.00123
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Received:
27 Jul 2011;
Published Online:
09 Aug 2011.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Horacio O De La Iglesia, University of Washington, Biology, Seattle, United States, horaciod@uw.edu