5-Methoxytryptophol rhythms in the chick pineal gland: effect of environmental lighting conditions.

5-Methoxytryptophol (5-ML) rhythms were studied in the pineal glands of chicks which were adapted to three different lighting conditions: 12 h light: 12 h dark (LD), constant darkness (DD) and continuous light (LL). Pineal glands of chicks kept under LD conditions exhibited rhythmic fluctuations in 5-ML content. 5-ML levels were low (18+/-2 pg/pineal) during the dark phase of the cycle, they increased approximately 9-fold at the end of the dark phase, and remained high (176 +/-6 pg/pineal) throughout the light period. This pattern of 5-ML content also persisted under conditions of DD, indicating that the 5-ML rhythm is circadian in nature. This is the first evidence of circadian rhythmicity of 5-ML. Pineal 5-ML levels in chicks kept under LL were high (168+/-8 pg/pineal), but did not fluctuate in a rhythmic fashion. Under LD and DD, but not LL, the rhythm of 5-ML in the chick pineal is 180 degrees out of phase with the rhythm of melatonin biosynthesis, an observation suggesting that, at least in this species, the pineal production of these two hormones may be inversely correlated.