Influence of deuterium oxide on circadian activity rhythms of hamsters: role of the suprachiasmatic nuclei.

The period of the free-running circadian activity rhythm of Syrian hamsters was measured before and during treatment with 10% deuterium oxide (D2O). Deuteration increased period length by approximately 0.5 h per cycle both pre- and postoperatively in hamsters sustaining complete, incomplete or no unilateral lesions of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). Neither coupling between the bilaterally paired SCN, nor elimination of 50% of SCN tissue affected period length during D2O treatment. However, variability of the response to D2O was much greater in lesioned than in intact hamsters. We propose that a small percentage of the normal complement of SCN neurons is sufficient to permit full responsiveness of the circadian system to D2O and that there is substantial redundancy in the neural system that responds to deuterium. Stability of the circadian system appears to be increased by the full complement of SCN neurons.