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. 1970 Oct 9;170(3954):194-6.
doi: 10.1126/science.170.3954.194.

Harderian gland: influence on pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity in neonatal rats

L Wetterberg, A Yuwiler, R Ulrich, E Geller, R Wallace

Harderian gland: influence on pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity in neonatal rats

L Wetterberg et al. Science. .

Abstract

A circadian rhythm has been found in hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity of the pineal gland of blinded 12-day-old rats. Five additional hours of lighting can partly prevent the nocturnal increase in pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity in such rats. Removal of the Harderian gland abolishes this response to light in 12-day-old blinded animals, giving further support to the suggestion that this gland may function as an extraretinal photosensitive organ influencing the pineal gland in blinded suckling rats.

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