Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Melatonin: Reproductive Effects

  • Conference paper
The Pineal Gland

Part of the book series: Journal of Neural Transmission ((NEURAL SUPPL,volume 13))

  • 73 Accesses

Summary

N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, melatonin, is synthesized within and secreted from the pineal gland. Although the concentration of this constituent in the blood is diminished after surgical removal of the pineal gland it does not completely disappear. Other potential contributors to blood titers of melatonin include the retinas, the Harderian glands and the gastrointestinal tract. Melatonin has a potent antigonadotrophic action in the Syrian hamster (a highly photosensitive species) provided the indole is given during a restricted portion of the light phase of the light-dark cycle. This so-called sensitive period falls late in the light phase; melatonin acutely administered at other times has virtually no inhibitory influence on the reproductive physiology of hamsters. When melatonin is continuously available (from a subcutaneous deposit) it counteracts the antigonadotrophic influence of the pineal gland in light restricted or blinded hamsters, i.e., it causes a “functional pinealectomy”. Furthermore, chronically available melatonin negates the antigonadotrophic capability of acute melatonin injections.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Axelrod, J., Weissbach, H.: Purification and properties of hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase. J. Biol. Chem. 236, 211–213 (1961).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Axelrod, J., Mac Lean, P. D., Albers, R. W., Weissbach, H.: Regional distribution of methyl transferase enzymes in the nervous system and glandular tissues. In: Regional Neurochemistry (Kety, S. S., Elkes, J., eds.), p. 301. New York: Pergamon. 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, G. M., Basinska, J., Bubenik, G., Sibony, D., Grota, L. J., Siancer, H. C.: Gonadal effects of pinealectomy and immunization against N-acetylindolealkylamines in the hamsters. Neuroendocrinology 22, 289–297 (1976).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bubenik, G. A., Brown, G. M., Grota, L. J.: Differential localization of N-acetylated indolealkylamines in CNS and the Harderian gland using immunohistology. Brain Res. 118, 417–427 (1976 a).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bubenik, G. A., Brown, G. M., Grota, L. J.: Immunohistochemical localization of melatonin in the rat harderian gland. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 24, 1173–1177 (1976b).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bubenik, G. A., Brown, G. M., Grota, L. J.: Immunohistological localization of melatonin in the rat digestive system. Experientia 33, 662–663 (1977).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cardinali, D. P.: Melatonin and the endocrine role of the pineal gland. In: Current Topics in Experimental Endocrinology, Vol. 2 (James, V. H. T., Martini, L., eds.), p. 107. New York: Academic Press. 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cardinali, D. P., Rosner, J. M.: Retinal localization of the hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) in the rat. Endocrinology 89, 301–303 (1971 a).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cardinali, D. P., Rosner, J. M.: Metabolism of serotonin by the rat retina in vitro. J. Neurochem. 18, 1769–1770 (1971 b).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cardinali, D. P., Wurtman, R. J.: Hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferases in rat pineal, retina and Harderian gland. Endocrinology 91, 247–252 (1972).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cardinali, D. P., Larin, F., Wurtman, R. J.: Action spectra for effects of light on hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferases in rat pineal, retina and Harderian gland. Endocrinology 91, 877–886 (1972).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gaston, S., Menaker, M.: Photoperiodic control of hamster testis. Science 158, 925–927 (1967).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann, K.: Testicular involution in short photoperiods inhibited by melatonin. Naturwissenschaften 61, 364–365 (1974).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kennaway, D. J., Frith, R. G., Phillipou, G., Matthews, C. D., Seamark, R. F.: A specific radioimmunoassay for melatonin in biological tissue and fluids and its validation by gas chromatography-mass spectro-metry. Endocrinology 101, 119–127 (1977).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kinson, G. A.: Pineal factors in the control of testicular function. Adv. Sex Horm. Res. 2, 87–139 (1976).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knigge, K. M., Sheridan, M. N.: Pineal function in hamsters bearing meiatonin antibodies. Life Sci. 19, 1235–1238 (1976).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koslow, S. H.: 5-Methoxytryptamine: A possible central nervous system transmitter. Adv. Biochem. Psychopharm. 11, 95–98 (1974).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minneman, K. P., Wurtman, R. J.: Effect of pineal compounds of mammals. Life Sci. 17, 1189–1200 (1975).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nagle, C. A., Cardinali, D. P., Rosner, J. M.: Light regulation of rat retinal hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) activity. Endocrinology 91, 423–426 (1972).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nagle, C. A., Cardinali, D. P., Rosner, J. M.: Retinal and pineal hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferases; in the rat: Changes following cervical sympathectomy, pinealectomy or blinding. Endocrinology 92, 1560 to 1564 (1973).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nagle, C. A., Cardinali, D. P., Rosner, J. M.: Effects of castration and testosterone administration on pineal and retinal hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase of male rats. Neuroendocrinology 14, 14–23 (1974).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ozaki, Y., Lynch, H. J.: Presence of melatonin in plasma and urine of pinealectomized rats. Endocrinology 99, 641–644 (1976).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pang, S. F., Ralph, C. L.: Pineal and serum melatonin at midday and midnight following pinealectomy or castration in male rats. J. Exp. Zool. 193, 275–280 (1975).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pang, S. F., Brown, G. M., Grota, L. J., Chambers, J. W., Rodman, R. L.: Determination of N-acetylserotonin and melatonin activities in the pineal gland, retina, Harderian gland, brain and serum of rats and chickens. Neuroendocrinology 23, 1–13 (1977).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quay, W. B.: Pineal Chemistry. Springfield: Ch. C Thomas. 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raikhlin, N. T., Kvetnoy, I. M., Tolkachev, V. N.: Melatonin may be synthesized in enterochromaffin cells. Nature 225, 344–345 (1975).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J.: The role of the pineal in reproduction. In: Reproductive Biology (Balin, H., Glasser, S., eds.), p. 71. Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica. 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J.: Comparative physiology: Pineal gland. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 35, 305–328 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J.: The Pineal—1977. Montreal: Eden Press. 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J., Vaugban, M. K., Blask, D. E., Johnson, L. Y.: Melatonin: Its inhibition of pineal antigonadotrophic activity in male hamsters. Science 185, 1169–1171 (1974).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J., Vaugban, M. K., Vaughan, G. M., Sorrentino, S., jr., Donofrio, R. J.: The pineal gland as an organ of internal secretion. In: Frontiers of Pineal Physiology (Altschule, M. D., ed.), p. 54. Cambridge: MIT Press. 1975 a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J., Vaugban, M. K., Waring, P. J.: Studies on the minimal dosage of melatonin required to inhibit pineal antigonadotrophic activity in male golden hamsters. Horm. Res. 6, 258–267 (1975 b).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J., Blask, D. E., Johnson, L. Y., Rudeen, P. K., Vaughan, M. K., Waring, P. J.: Melatonin inhibition of reproduction in the male hamster; its dependency on time of day of administration and on an intact and sympathetically innervated pineal gland. Neuroendocrinology 22, 107 to 116 (1976 a).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J., Rudeen, P. K., Vaughan, M. K.: Restoration of fertility in light-deprived female hamsters by chronic melatonin treatment. J. Comp. Physiol. 111, 7–13 (1976 b).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reiter, R. J., Rudeen, P. K., Sackman, J. W., Vaughan, M. K., Johnson, L. Y., Little, J. C.: Subcutaneous melatonin implants inhibit reproductive atrophy in male hamsters induced by daily melatonin injections. Endocr. Res. Commun. 4, 35–44 (1977).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Relkin, R.: Rat pituitary and plasma prolactin levels after pinealectomy. J. Endocr. 53, 179–180 (1972).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tamarkin, L., Brown, S., Goldman, B.: Neuroendocrine regulation of seasonal reproductive cycles in the hamster. Abstr. 5th Ann. Mtg. Soc. Neuroscience, p. 458 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamarkin, L., Westrom, W. K., Ramili, A. I., Goldman, B. D.: Effect of melatonin on the reproductive systems of male and female Syrian hamsters: A diurnal rhythm in sensitivity to melatonin. Endocrinology 99, 1534–1541 (1976).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vlahakes, G. J., Wurtman, R. J.: A Mg2+ dependent hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase in rat harderian gland. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 261, 194–198 (1972).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtman, R. J., Axelrod, J., Chu, E. W.: Melatonin, a pineal substance: Effect on rat ovary. Science 141, 277–278 (1963).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wurtman, R. J., Kelly, D. E., Axelrod, J.: The pineal. New York: Academic Press. 1968 a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wurtman, R. J., Larin, F., Axelrod, J., Shein, H. M., Rosasco, K.: Formation of melatonin and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid from 14C-tryptophan by rat pineal glands in organ culture. Nature 217, 953–954 (1968 b).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78284, USA

    Dr. R. J. Reiter, M. D. Rollag, Elizabeth S. Panke & A. F. Banks

Authors
  1. Dr. R. J. Reiter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. D. Rollag
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Elizabeth S. Panke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. F. Banks
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

    Isaac Nir

  2. Department of Anatomy, The University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, USA

    Russel J. Reiter

  3. Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Regulation, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

    Richard J. Wurtman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1978 Springer-Verlag Wien

About this paper

Cite this paper

Reiter, R.J., Rollag, M.D., Panke, E.S., Banks, A.F. (1978). Melatonin: Reproductive Effects. In: Nir, I., Reiter, R.J., Wurtman, R.J. (eds) The Pineal Gland. Journal of Neural Transmission, vol 13. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-4427-5_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-4427-5_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-4429-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-4427-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation