Skip to main content
Log in

Masking by light in hamsters with SCN lesions

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Journal of Comparative Physiology A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Inhibition of wheel running by light (masking) was investigated in Syrian hamsters with suprachiasmatic nucleus or sham lesions. Approximately 90% of the wheel revolutions made by hamsters with complete suprachiasmatic nucleus lesions, as judged by histology and power spectrum analysis of their wheel running, occurred during the dark phases of an ultradian light-dark cycle (3.5 h light, 3.5 h dark). This was demonstrated for two illumination levels (380 lx and 6 lx). Similar results were obtained with sham-operated animals. In further tests, the hamsters with lesions also retained a strong preference for the dark side of a box divided into dark and light sides. These results demonstrate that the suprachiasmatic nucleus is not necessary for masking by light or the preference for a dark over a light compartment. Evidently the direct effects of light can substitute for the endogenous control by the suprachiasmatic nucleus to maintain appropriate behaviour in time and space.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Accepted: 30 January 1999

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Redlin, U., Mrosovsky, N. Masking by light in hamsters with SCN lesions. J Comp Physiol A 184, 439–448 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003590050343

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003590050343

Navigation