REGULATION OF HARDERIAN-GLAND PORPHYRIN BY PINEAL-GLAND AND MELATONININ INDIAN PALM SQUIRREL, FUNAMBULUS-PENNANTI

Daily administration of 25 mu g of melatonin (MEL) for 30 days during reproductive active phase (May-June) of F. pennanti, decreased the Har derian gland porphyrin (HG-porphyrin) concentration and gonadal functi on without effecting the Harderian gland (HG) weight. Further, pineale ctomy (Px) performed during same reproductive phase could not bring an y significant change in Harderian and gonadal function of either sexes as they were in full activity. Therefore, it may be suggested that HG -porphyrin is negatively regulated by MEL and thereby inversely relate d with the pineal gland function.