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Melatonin and Melatonergic Drugs in Clinical Practice pp 193–203Cite as

Melatonin’s Role in Human Reproduction: Recent Studies

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Abstract

Melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methhoxytryptamine, is a molecule with diverse physiological function. It affects reproductive functions in a wide variety of species. This chapter describes the roles of melatonin on various reproductive parameters. Melatonin has an inhibitory influence on hypothalamic GnRH secretion. Melatonin acts as antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress-induced testicular dysfunctions and poor oocytes quality in many experimental animals. During fetal life, melatonin regulates circadian rhythm and has been suggested to play a role in the regulation of fetal REM and NREM sleep. In adults, melatonin regulates the time of parturition in both humans and nonhuman primates. Many studies have suggested that melatonin could be an effective treatment for preeclampsia, due to its antioxidant properties as well as its antihypertensive and anticonvulsive actions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia

    Rahimah Zakaria MBBS, MSc, PhD (Physiology)

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hebrew-University Medical Center, Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel

    Amnon Brzezinski MD

  3. Sri Sathya Sai Medical Educational and Research Foundation, An International Medical Sciences Research Study Center, Prasanthi Nilayam, 40-Kovai Thirunagar Extn, Goldwins, Coimbatore, TN, 641014, India

    Venkataramanujam Srinivasan MSc, PhD, MAMS

  4. National Health Service, Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital “G. Mazzini”, ASL 4, Teramo, Italy

    Venkataramanujam Srinivasan MSc, PhD, MAMS

  5. Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University “G.D’ Annunzio”, Chieti, 66013, Italy

    Venkataramanujam Srinivasan MSc, PhD, MAMS

Authors
  1. Rahimah Zakaria MBBS, MSc, PhD (Physiology)
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  2. Amnon Brzezinski MD
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  3. Venkataramanujam Srinivasan MSc, PhD, MAMS
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Correspondence to Rahimah Zakaria MBBS, MSc, PhD (Physiology) .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sri Sathya Sai Medical Educational and Research Foundation, An International Medical Sciences Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

    V. Srinivasan

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hebrew-University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

    Amnon Brzezinski

  3. Department of Physiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey

    Sukru Oter

  4. Department of Psychiatry Behavioral Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia, USA

    Samuel D. Shillcutt

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© 2014 Springer India

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Zakaria, R., Brzezinski, A., Srinivasan, V. (2014). Melatonin’s Role in Human Reproduction: Recent Studies. In: Srinivasan, V., Brzezinski, A., Oter, S., Shillcutt, S. (eds) Melatonin and Melatonergic Drugs in Clinical Practice. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-0825-9_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-0825-9_13

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