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Ultradian Rhythms

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Biological Rhythms

Abstract

A biological rhythm is called ultradian if its period is shorter than 24 hour. Ultradian rhythms have been observed in physiological functions, like cellular processes, respiraton, circulation, hormonal release and sleep stages, as well as in behavioral functions, often related to feeding patterns. Ultradian rhythms are characterized by diversity not only in period length (from hours to milliseconds) but also in mechanisms and functions. Besides homeostatic feedback loops at the behavioral level, several independent central nervous system (CNS) based ultradian pacemakers have been demonstrated. Attempts have been made to relate ultradian oscillations to each other. The Basic rest-activity Cycle (Brac) hypothesis supposes that the rhythm of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep episodes continues over the 24 hours of the day and is reflected in other physical and mental functions. Notwithstanding the resemblance of periodicity of REM cycles and some performances, the Brac concept cannot explain the diversity in frequency and mechanisms. The period length of many ultradian rhythms scale with body mass very similarly. Such allometry, without clarifying causal principles, indicates the potentials of synchronization and tuning of ultradian patterns. In general, functions of ultradian rhythms have been described in terms of energetic optimization and internal coordination. This may apply also to the example of ultradian feeding rhythms in voles. To obtain crucial savings in energy expenditure, however, voles furthermore have to synchronize their individual rhythms. Body contact is here essential, both in the entrainment mechanism and in the functional consequence of the synchronization process. In the absence of relevant geophysical cycles in the environment, synchronization with a biological external factor, i.e. with conspecifics, is characteristic of ultradian patterns in behavior and physiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoological Laboratory, University of Groningen, PO Box 14, N1 9750 AA, Haren, The Netherlands

    M. P. Gerkema

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  1. M. P. Gerkema
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, 226 007, Lucknow, India

    Vinod Kumar (Professor) (Professor)

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Gerkema, M.P. (2002). Ultradian Rhythms. In: Kumar, V. (eds) Biological Rhythms. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06085-8_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06085-8_17

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