Individual Differences in the Amount and Timing of Salivary Melatonin Secretion

Details

• Personal Author:
  Burgess HJ ; Fogg LF
• Description:
  The aim of this study was to examine individual differences in a large sample of complete melatonin profiles not suppressed by light and search for possible associations between the amount and timing of melatonin secretion and a multitude of lifestyle variables. The melatonin profiles were derived from saliva samples collected every 30 minutes in dim light from 85 healthy women and 85 healthy men aged 18-45 years. There was a large individual variability in the amount of melatonin secreted with peak values ranging from 2 to 84 pg/ml. The onset of melatonin secretion ranged from 18:13 to 00:26 hours. The use of hormonal birth control, reduced levels of employment, a smaller number of days on a fixed sleep schedule, increased day length and lower weight were associated with an increased amplitude of melatonin secretion. The use of hormonal birth control, contact lenses, a younger age, and lower ratings of mania and paranoia were associated with a longer duration of melatonin secretion. An earlier occurrence of the onset of melatonin secretion was associated with an earlier wake time, more morningness and the absence of a bed partner. Lifestyle and behavioral variables were only able to explain about 15% of the individual variability in the amount of melatonin secretion, which is likely because of a substantial genetic influence on the levels of melatonin secretion. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Age Factors Biological Factors Circadian Rhythm Endocrine System Genetics Laboratories Lighting Occupational Health Safety Shift Work Schedule Sleep Initiation And Maintenance Disorders

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• Keywords:
  Age-factors Biological-factors Circadian-rhythms Genetic-factors Hormone-activity Hormones Laboratory-testing Salivary-glands Shift-work Sleep-disorders
• ISSN:
  1932-6203
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  3
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20034371
• Citation:
  PLoS One 2008 Aug; 3(8):e3055
• Contact Point Address:
  Biological Rhythms Research Laboratory, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612
• Email:
  Helen_J_Burgess@rush.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2008
• NORA Priority Area:
  Work Environment and Workforce: Organization of Work
• Performing Organization:
  Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19990930
• Source Full Name:
  PLoS One
• End Date:
  20090430
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d37e7f025cf3990e8ee0c5964013e506c24bc0b8076c7d1b376b6ad172d209e1fd764ec6757f2a3b2337fd9d167f4f6716bfe44b38cf18b9f169493e33ee611b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/189600/cdc_189600_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 345.80 KB ]