Cyclic melatonin synchronizes the circadian rhythm of feeding activity in Japanese quail, Coturnix c. japonica.

In Japanese quail, we can observe the circadian rhythm of feeding activity in constant conditions, especially in birds from selected lines. In order to try to test the importance of melatonin as hormonal output for the circadian system, we gave a 24-h period cycle of exogenous melatonin to some of these birds when they were free running. We used castrated males firstly in order to cancel the known effect of steroids on circadian organisation. Secondly, as castrated birds generally expressed a very short periodicity, it allowed us to check induced synchronisation more easily. We maintained ten castrated males in constant dim light. We divided the experiment into five successive phases. The birds received a 24-h period cycle of melatonin (M phase) or of control solution with only the alcoholic solvent (C phase) as a drink. Before and after each one of these two phases, we gave water continually to drink (W1, W2 and W3 phases). Thus, the successive phases were W1-M-W2-C-W3. We measured intake of liquids and plasma melatonin concentrations to check melatonin ingestion. We automatically recorded individual feeding activity by infrared detectors, and analysed this by spectral analysis. At the beginning of the experiment, eight birds showed a rhythmic feeding activity, with a mean period of 22.9 +/- 0.2 h, and the two others an arrhythmic circadian activity. During the 24-h period cycle of exogenous melatonin, for the rhythmic birds, the circadian period became approximately 24 h (23.9 +/- 0.2 h), the inactive phase corresponding to the period of melatonin availability. During the W2 and C phases, the circadian period was similar to that expressed during the W1 phase. Moreover, when birds only drink water, we found a significant positive relationship between the clarity of the circadian rhythm and the ratio, between the melatonin level of the inactive phase and that of the active phase. These facts support the hypothesis of the role of this hormone in the regulation of the circadian system, at least for feeding activity, in quail.