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Melatonin and reproduction revisited.

Russel J Reiter1, Dun-Xian Tan, Lucien C Manchester

  • 1Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA. reiter@uthscsa.edu

Biology of Reproduction
|May 15, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Melatonin offers reproductive benefits beyond seasonal breeding, notably by reducing oxidative stress. This hormone protects fetuses, maternal tissues, and placentas from free radical damage, with potential applications in human and veterinary medicine.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Chronobiology
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • Melatonin's role in seasonal breeding is established.
  • Emerging evidence suggests broader reproductive benefits.
  • Oxidative stress significantly impacts reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review novel findings on melatonin's reproductive effects.
  • To highlight melatonin's antioxidant role in reproduction.
  • To explore clinical applications for melatonin in reproductive medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature.
  • Analysis of melatonin's antioxidant mechanisms.
  • Examination of studies on melatonin and sexual characteristics.
  • Assessment of melatonin's placental transfer and protective effects.

Main Results:

  • Melatonin enhances secondary sexual characteristics in some species.
  • Melatonin mitigates oxidative and nitrosative stress during pregnancy.
  • It protects maternal tissues, placenta, and fetus from free radical damage.
  • Melatonin shows promise in conditions like preeclampsia and hypoxia-reperfusion injury.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin possesses significant antioxidant properties beneficial to reproductive physiology.
  • Clinical trials are warranted to validate melatonin's protective role in pregnancy-related oxidative stress.
  • Further research into melatonin's efficacy in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer is recommended.
  • Melatonin holds potential for both human and veterinary reproductive medicine.