Stetson M H, Watson-Whitmyre M
J Neural Transm Suppl. 1986;21:55-80.
In this article we review the functions of the pineal gland and of pineal melatonin in regulating gonadal activity in three species of hamster, the golden (Syrian) hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), the Turkish (Brandt's) hamster (Mesocricetus brandti), and the Djungarian (Siberian, or hairy-footed) hamster (Phodopus sungorus sungorus). Some experimental treatments elicit the same response in all three species; this is especially true for the regulation of the nocturnal elevation of pineal melatonin content and release and for the gonadal response to timed melatonin injections in intact animals throughout the day. In other experimental paradigms, species differences are paramount; pinealectomy or subcutaneous implants of melatonin in intact individuals have different effects on the photoperiodic gonadal response in all species. Yet in all hamster species investigated, the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin constitute part of the central mechanism whereby environmental information (photoperiod) is transduced to neuroendocrine signals responsible for the functional integrity of the reproductive system.
在本文中，我们综述了松果体以及松果体褪黑素在调节三种仓鼠性腺活动中的作用，这三种仓鼠分别是金黄仓鼠（叙利亚仓鼠，Mesocricetus auratus）、土耳其仓鼠（布氏仓鼠，Mesocricetus brandti）和侏儒仓鼠（西伯利亚仓鼠，或毛足仓鼠，Phodopus sungorus sungorus）。一些实验处理在这三种仓鼠中引发相同的反应；对于松果体褪黑素含量和释放的夜间升高的调节以及完整动物全天对定时注射褪黑素的性腺反应而言，尤其如此。在其他实验范式中，物种差异至关重要；在完整个体中进行松果体切除或皮下植入褪黑素，对所有物种的光周期性腺反应具有不同影响。然而，在所有被研究的仓鼠物种中，松果体及其激素褪黑素构成了中枢机制的一部分，通过该机制，环境信息（光周期）被转化为负责生殖系统功能完整性的神经内分泌信号。
