Annual variations in serum thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid hormones and in their responses to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone in the reindeer.

The reindeer in its natural habitat is subject to great annual variations in ambient temperature, illumination and nutrition. To ascertain the effect of these environmental factors on thyroid function, serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), tri-iodothyronine (T3) and reverse T3 (rT3) concentrations were measured four times a year (2 June, 8 October, 21 November, and 24 February) in 14 animals housed outdoors at latitude 69 degrees 10'N. They all showed statistically significant (P < 0.

Seasonal and daily patterns in melatonin secretion in female reindeer and their calves.

Daily patterns of pineal function were studied in different seasons in 10 adult semidomesticated female reindeer and 5 prepubertal calves living in a natural arctic environment at latitude 69 degrees 10'N. Serum samples for melatonin RIA were collected every 4 h for 24 h in October (10 h of light, 14 h of darkness and 8 h of light, 16 h of darkness), December (24 h of darkness), March (13 h of light, 11 h of darkness), and June (24 h of light). A significant daily variation in serum melatonin levels was observed in the adult reindeer, with peak values (20-50 ng/liter) occurring during the night in autumn, winter, and spring, but not summer.