[Abstract]  [Full Text]  [PDF]

Corinne Jud¹, Isabelle Schmutz¹, Gabriele Hampp¹, Henrik Oster² and Urs Albrecht^1*

¹ Department of Medicine, Division of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg. 1700 Fribourg. Switzerland.
² Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Endocrinology. 30625 Hannover. Germany.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed: Urs Albrecht, Department of Medicine, Division of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg. 1700 Fribourg. Switzerland. Phone: +41 (0)26 300 86 36. Email: urs.albrecht@unifr.ch

Biol. Proced. Online 2005;7:101-116. doi:10.1251/bpo109
Submitted: April 25, 2005; Accepted: June 20, 2005; Published: July 13, 2005.

Indexing terms: Photoperiod; Chronobiology; Circadian Rhythm; Mice.

Most behavioral experiments within circadian research are based on the analysis of locomotor activity. This paper introduces scientists to chronobiology by explaining the basic terminology used within the field. Furthermore, it aims to assist in designing, carrying out, and evaluating wheel-running experiments with rodents, particularly mice. Since light is an easily applicable stimulus that provokes strong effects on clock phase, the paper focuses on the application of different lighting conditions.