Effect of melatonin supplementation upon parental care and nestling growth in arctic-breeding songbirds.

Arctic-breeding birds exhibit around-the-clock activity, and these activity cycles are postulated to maximize reproductive success during the short breeding season characteristic of high-latitude regions. Two closely related species of arctic-breeding songbirds, Lapland longspurs (Calcarius lapponicus; ground-nesting) and snow buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis; cavity-nesting) exhibit extended activity cycles throughout the polar day (71° N) except for 4-5 h of daily quiescence. Ground-nesting Lapland longspurs experience higher levels of nest predation than cavity-nesting snow buntings, and this difference is reflected in elevated nest vigilance in male longspurs compared with snow buntings.

Peripheral Sympathectomy Alters Neuroinflammatory and Microglial Responses to Sleep Fragmentation in Female Mice.

Sleep loss, either induced by obstructive sleep apnea or other forms of sleep dysfunction, induces an inflammatory response, as commonly measured by increased circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Increased catecholamines from sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation regulates this peripheral inflammation. However, the role that catecholamines play in mediating neuroinflammation from sleep perturbations is undescribed.

An anti-narcolepsy drug reveals behavioral and fitness costs of extreme activity cycles in arctic-breeding songbirds.

Sleep loss impairs cognitive function, immunological responses and general well-being in humans. However, sleep requirements in mammals and birds vary dramatically. In circumpolar regions with continuous summer light, daily sleep duration is reduced, particularly in breeding birds.

Chemical sympathectomy reduces peripheral inflammatory responses to acute and chronic sleep fragmentation.

Sleep loss contributes to the development of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological disorders by promoting a systemic proinflammatory phenotype. The neuroendocrine-immune mechanisms contributing to such pathologies are poorly understood. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) regulates immunity and is often activated following sleep disturbances.