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Melatonin and female reproduction
Author(s) -
Tamura Hiroshi,
Takasaki Akihisa,
Taketani Toshiaki,
Tanabe Manabu,
Lee Lifa,
Tamura Isao,
Maekawa Ryo,
Aasada Hiromi,
Yamagata Yoshiaki,
Sugino Norihiro
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/jog.12177
Subject(s) - melatonin , pineal gland , endocrine system , endocrinology , receptor , melatonin receptor , medicine , immune system , circadian rhythm , biology , free radical scavenger , oxidative stress , hormone , immunology
Melatonin ( N ‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine) is secreted during the dark hours at night by the pineal gland. After entering the circulation, melatonin acts as an endocrine factor and a chemical messenger of light and darkness. It regulates a variety of important central and peripheral actions related to circadian rhythms and reproduction. It also affects the brain, immune, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal, bone and endocrine functions and acts as an oncostatic and anti‐aging molecule. Many of melatonin's actions are mediated through interactions with specific membrane‐bound receptors expressed not only in the central nervous system, but also in peripheral tissues. Melatonin also acts through non‐receptor‐mediated mechanisms, for example serving as a scavenger for reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. At both physiological and pharmacological concentrations, melatonin attenuates and counteracts oxidative stress and regulates cellular metabolism. Growing scientific evidence of reproductive physiology supports the role of melatonin in human reproduction. This review was conducted to investigate the effects of melatonin on female reproduction and to summarize our findings in this field.