Figure 1

Melatonin levels, pineal gland and body weight. The day profiles of serum melatonin levels (mean values) before (A) and after (B) surgery demonstrate the absence of nocturnal melatonin expression after pinealectomy. Anatomy of the ovine brain (C): The pineal gland (arrow) is located on the collicular plate of the brainstem and recognized by the characteristic color and shape (C). The course of the mean body weight (D) shows lower values in the post-operative period for the Px and OvxPx group compared to control (*: p < 0.05 at some time points).