Abstract
Circadian rhythms of melatonin content in the pineal gland were examined in 4-week-old layerstrain chicks and silky chicks. In the layerstrain chicks, pineal melatonin levels showed a robust daily rhythm with high levels occurring during the dark phase of the photoperiod. The pattern of daily melatonin synthesis in the silky chicks was generally similar to that in the layerstrain chicks. There were, however, two differences between these two breeds. First, both light and dark phase melatonin levels in the silky chicks were significantly lower than those in the layerstrain chicks. Secondly, melatonin levels dropped more slowly after lights on in the silky chicks than in the layerstrain chicks. These results suggest that mechanisms for regulating pineal melatonin biosynthesis are probably a little different between these two breeds.
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