CIRCANNUAL RHYTHMS, BEHAVIOR AND REPRODUCTION

拟议研究的主要目标是描述 神经内分泌底物参与昼夜节律的发生 行为和生理的节律，并识别环境 使这些内源性节律同步的刺激。模型 要研究的物种是金毛地松鼠。 具体项目包括：1)明确测试DAY的作用 年周期节律的夹带长度，2)建立 视网膜腺丘脑束在视神经夹带中的作用 一年一次的节律，3)确定外侧隔核， 视前内侧区和乳头状核是视前区的一部分。 一年生植物产生和表达的神经底物 节律，4)确定昼夜节律的周期 在一年周期的一部分中与温度有关，5) 评估身体脂肪、能量学和 在大约一年的周期内繁殖，以及，6)建立 不同脂肪库的脂肪动员顺序 一年一周周期的减肥阶段，以及 幼体和成体在数量和大小上的差异 脂肪细胞。要测量的参数包括体质量， 脂肪细胞数量和大小，血浆睾酮水平，昼夜节律 活动节律和外部生殖条件。这个 拟议的工作与内源性的机制相关 人类的季节性情感障碍，并最终可能 导致药物治疗和非侵入性治疗 这些条件。

The main goals of the proposed research are to characterize the neuroendocrine substrates involved in generation of circannual rhythms in behavior and physiology, and to identify environmental stimuli that synchronize these endogenous rhythms. The model species to be studied is the golden-mantled ground squirrel. Specific projects include: 1) A definitive test of the role of day length in entrainment of circannual rhythms, 2) establishing the role of the retinohyothalamic tract in photic entrainment of circannual rhythms, 3) determining if the lateral septal nuclei, medial pre-optic region and mammillary nuclei are part of the neural substrate for generation and expression of circannual rhythms, 4) establishing whether the period of circadian rhythms is temperature-dependent during part of the circannual cycle, 5) evaluating interactions among body fat, energetics and reproduction during the circannual cycle, and, 6) establishing the sequence of lipid mobilization from different fat depots during the weight loss phase of the circannual cycle, as well as differences between juveniles and adults in number and size of adipocytes. Parameters to be measured include body mass, adipocyte number and size, plasma testosterone levels, circadian activity rhythms, and external reproductive condition. The proposed work is relevant to mechanisms that underlie endogenous seasonal affective disorders in human beings, and could ultimately lead to pharmacological as well as non-invasive treatments for these conditions.