Rhythmic release pattern of pineal melatonin in rodents.

The plasma melatonin in the confluens sinuum of anesthetized rabbits and rats exhibited an episodic release pattern, with pulses superimposed on a basal level. The rhythmicity of pineal melatonin release revealed by our experimental paradigm was dependent on the blood sampling interval. In rabbits, it was found that the plasma melatonin level in the confluens sinuum was 7-15 times higher than that obtained from the plasma collected at the same time from the peripheral artery where the melatonin level also showed a pulsatile pattern. Diurnal variation in pineal melatonin level in the confluens sinuum was observed only in acutely blinded rabbits and rats. Electrical stimulation of the unilateral cervical sympathetic trunk of rabbits resulted in elevation of the level of plasma melatonin in the confluens sinuum, while the frequency of pulse peaks of plasma melatonin revealed at 4-min intervals was not affected. Similar results were obtained in rabbits with systemic administration of beta-adrenergic agents. These findings suggest that the release of pineal melatonin into the confluens sinuum is under the regulation of the cervical sympathetic system. The sympathetic influence on pineal melatonin secretion seems to vary with age. Furthermore, age-related fluctuation of systemic blood melatonin appeared to be the results of changes in the rate of pineal melatonin secretion, body growth and ageing.