Exogenous evening melatonin mitigates the disruptive effects of dim light at night on sleep and metabolism in diurnal zebra finches
In a controlled experiment, zebra finches exposed to 5-lux dim light at night (dLAN) received subcutaneous melatonin injections (10 µg/100 µl vehicle) 30 minutes before dark onset for 11 days. Melatonin-treated birds showed significantly reduced nocturnal sleep fragmentation (fewer awakenings, longer sleep bouts), decreased night-time feeding and body fattening, and restored hepatic expression of glucose and lipid metabolism genes compared to vehicle-treated controls.
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Exogenous evening melatonin mitigates the disruptive effects of dim light at night on sleep and metabolism in diurnal zebra finches The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 24/100 (low).
The Claim
Exogenous evening melatonin mitigates the disruptive effects of dim light at night on sleep and metabolism in diurnal zebra finches
This conclusion is most relevant to: Diurnal zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) of both sexes, hatched and raised in indoor aviary (n=6/group/sex).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Exogenous evening melatonin mitigates the negative impact of night-time light pollution on sleep and metabolism in both sexes of diurnal zebra finches. (The Journal of experimental biology, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Exogenous melatonin elevates nocturnal melatonin levels
- ▸Melatonin prevents midnight increase in g6pc, irs1, fasn, star, and egr1 mRNA
- ▸Melatonin augments sirt1 mRNA levels
- ▸Result: Reduced sleep fragmentation, decreased night-time feeding and body fattening, normalized hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Diurnal zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) of both sexes, hatched and raised in indoor aviary (n=6/group/sex)
Recommended Dose
10 µg per 100 µl vehicle per injection
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Animal model (zebra finches) limits direct generalizability to humans
- ▸Small sample size (n=6 per group per sex) may reduce statistical power
- ▸Short intervention duration (11 days) does not assess long-term effects
Frequently Asked Questions
What dose of melatonin was used in this study?▼
The study used 10 µg of melatonin in 100 µl vehicle, administered subcutaneously 30 minutes before dark onset.
Did melatonin affect sleep in both male and female zebra finches?▼
Yes, the effects of melatonin on sleep and metabolism were independent of sex.
What type of light pollution was tested?▼
The study used 5-lux dim light at night (dLAN), equivalent to 0.048 W/m², replacing the dark night period.
How long did the melatonin treatment last?▼
Melatonin was administered daily for 11 consecutive days.
References
- 1.Buniyaadi A, Kumar A, Bhardwaj SK, Kumar V. “Exogenous evening melatonin mitigates the negative impact of night-time light pollution on sleep and metabolism in both sexes of diurnal zebra finches..” The Journal of experimental biology, 2026. PMID: 42516011 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.252506