Suppression of pineal melatonin in Peromyscus leucopus by different monochromatic wavelengths of visible and near-ultraviolet light (UV-A).

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of monochromatic visible and near-ultraviolet radiation (UV-A) on pineal melatonin suppression in the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus. To this end, mice were entrained to a daily cycle of 8 h of light and 16 h of darkness. During the night when pineal melatonin contents were high, mice were individually exposed for 5 min to specific wavelengths of monochromatic light (10 nm half-peak bandwidths). Control animals received the same handling conditions but no experimental exposure. Pineal glands were collected from animals 18 min after the 5 min experimental exposure and were later assayed for melatonin content. In groups of animals exposed to equal photon densities (2.64 X 10(15) photons/cm2) of either 320, 340, 360, 500, or 560 nm, mean pineal melatonin content was significantly suppressed as compared to the unexposed control animals. The 640 nm wavelength (red) at the same photon density did not suppress pineal melatonin. These experiments are the first to demonstrate light-induced suppression of pineal melatonin in Peromyscus leucopus. In addition, these data reveal a novel finding: the suppression of pineal melatonin content by ultraviolet wavelengths as low as 320 and 340 nm.