LUTTERSCHMIDT, W.I.; ROTH, T.L.; WILSON, C.; Sam Houston State University; University of Oklahoma; Sam Houston State University: Melatonin and Suppression of the Transport Response in Rat Pups

Elevated levels of either endogenous or exogenous melatonin (MEL) modulate physiology and behavior in many vertebrates. However, there are no data that address the hormonal action of MEL on the behavioral transport response of rat pups though there is much evidence suggesting that serotonin, the anabolic precursor to MEL, modulates this behavior. We conducted two experiments that demonstrate melatonin’s effect on the behavioral transport response in the laboratory rat (Rattus rattus). In our first experimental model, we found a significant effect of age. We eliminated age as a variable in our second experimental model to investigate possible dose effects of melatonin. We found all doses of MEL to significantly suppress the transport response. We briefly discuss the time course for the effects of melatonin on the transport response in rats with respect to metabolism.