Pineal Structures and Functions in Mammalian Body Mechanisms Coping with Exogenous and Endogenous Changes
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: Various aspects of pineal structures and functions have been reviewed. mainly relating to our own\nobservations and experiments. The pineal gland shows high amplitude circadian rhythms in cellular and metabolic\nactivities. which are changeable under various circumstances. The pineal hormone appears to participate in the body's\nadaptive regulatory system mostly by cooperative and modulatory mechanisms. particularly in relation to environmental\nchanges including stress/invasion. timing of physiological processes including reproductive activities. and possibly\nexogenous and endogenous pathological changes such as inflammatory disease and tumor. Pineal effects are variable\ndue to the sensitivity/state of target mechanisms. For example. the pinealectomy effects on adreno-medullary adrenaline\ncells were more evident in comparison with the 'sham-pinealectomy' group than the normal group, and the pinealectomy\neffects on female reproductive activities were age-dependent. In any case, the pineal hormone retains physiological\nfunctions at least till middle age. Pineal actions are mainly inhibitory. but can be also stimulatory as shown in immune\nregulatory mechanisms. It has long been known that big differences in pineal structures and functions exist between\nmammals and submammals and that mammals show characteristic development of the brain, autonomic nervous system\nand unique style of reproduction including pregnancy and suckling. These and other related results seem to support a\nhypothetical view that the pineal hormone was involved in drastic reorganization of the regulatory system occurred in\nthe evolutional process from submammals to mammals and became participated in the system which regulates complex\nbody mechanisms in mammals.
Author: Takashi Kachi
Institution: Hirosaki University
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2187193982