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How do the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus integrate photoperiodic information?
Author(s) -
Pévet Paul,
Jacob Nathalie,
LakhdarGhazal Nouria,
Vuillez Patrick
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1111/j.1768-322x.1997.tb01034.x
Subject(s) - suprachiasmatic nucleus , biology , hypothalamus , photoperiodism , circadian rhythm , evening , neuroscience , light effects on circadian rhythm , morning , circadian clock , endocrinology , medicine , botany , physics , astronomy
The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN) plays an essential role in the generation and maintenance of circadian rhythms in mammals. The SCN activity is also dependent upon the photoperiod. The duration of the SCN sensitive phase to light, in term of Fos induction, is variable and tied to the length of the night. The question is how and by which pathways can photoperiod influence SCN? It is possible following the theoretical model of evening and morning component of the clock that the SCN build itself the photoperiodic signal. That the SCN integrate the photoperiodic information through indirect neural or neuroendocrine pathways is also to consider. Data in favor of these different interpretations are presented.