Melatonin and female reproduction
Corresponding Author
Hiroshi Tamura
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Reprint request to: Dr Hiroshi Tamura, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube 755-8505, Japan. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAkihisa Takasaki
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saiseikai Shimonoseki General Hospital, Shimonoseki, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorToshiaki Taketani
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorManabu Tanabe
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorLifa Lee
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorIsao Tamura
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorRyo Maekawa
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorHiromi Aasada
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorYoshiaki Yamagata
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorNorihiro Sugino
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Hiroshi Tamura
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Reprint request to: Dr Hiroshi Tamura, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minamikogushi 1-1-1, Ube 755-8505, Japan. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAkihisa Takasaki
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saiseikai Shimonoseki General Hospital, Shimonoseki, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorToshiaki Taketani
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorManabu Tanabe
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorLifa Lee
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorIsao Tamura
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorRyo Maekawa
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorHiromi Aasada
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorYoshiaki Yamagata
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorNorihiro Sugino
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
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.
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