The pineal gland is very large and active in newborn antarctic seals

The pineal gland of newborn elephant seals and Weddell seals is larger than in adult females. The gland is considerably larger at birth in Weddell seals than in elephant seals. The former experience greater extremes of temperature. Plasma melatonin concentrations in excess of 2000 pg/ml were recorde...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experientia
Main Authors: Bryden, M. M., Griffiths, D. J., Kennaway, D. J., Ledingham, J.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Birkhäuser-Verlag 1986
Subjects:
melatonin
Pineal gland
thermoregulation
1300 Biochemistry
Genetics and Molecular Biology
Antarctic
Weddell
Antarc*
Elephant Seals
Weddell Seals
Online Access:https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:94837fe
Description
Summary:The pineal gland of newborn elephant seals and Weddell seals is larger than in adult females. The gland is considerably larger at birth in Weddell seals than in elephant seals. The former experience greater extremes of temperature. Plasma melatonin concentrations in excess of 2000 pg/ml were recorded in the first days of life, compared with 20-50 pg/ml in adults.

Similar Items