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Endocrinological disorders. Focusing on melatonin's interactions
W Blaicher1, M H Imhof, D M Gruber
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproduction Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria. w.blaicher@akh-wien.ac.at
Background:
The interaction of melatonin to sterility and anovulation as well as related hormonal disorders has not been sufficiently examined yet. We set out to investigate the interaction between melatonin and hyperprolactinemia, hyperandrogenemia, hypothyreosis and obesity in premenopausal females.
Methods:
We evaluated the overnight urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT) in a group of 155 women using a radioimmunoassay.
Results:
Melatonin levels in patients with hyperprolactinemia and hyperandrogenemia with normal body mass index are significantly higher compared to matched controls. Obese females without hormonal disorders showed statistically lower 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels and in hypothyreotic females we found no difference in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels compared to controls.
Conclusion:
Melatonin plays an important role in patients with hormonal disorders such as hyperprolactinemia and hyperandrogenemia. Melatonin should be prescribed restrictively in all sterile patients. In patients with untreated hypothyreosis or obesity, melatonin seems to play a minor part; in those with hyperprolactinemia and hyperandrogenemia additionally to standard sterility treatment light therapy may improve the outcome.