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Role of melatonin in embryo fetal development
S E Voiculescu1, N Zygouropoulos1, C D Zahiu1
1"Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Division of Physiology & Fundamental Neuroscience, Bucharest, Romania.
Journal of Medicine and Life
|February 26, 2015
Summary
Melatonin, a key hormone, plays a vital role in embryo-fetal development and pregnancy outcomes. Maternal melatonin supports fetal development, with concentrations increasing significantly in later pregnancy stages.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Melatonin, an indoleamine from the pineal gland, regulates circadian rhythms, sleep, and acts as an antioxidant and anticarcinogen.
- The fetal pineal gland develops postnatally, making embryos and fetuses reliant on maternal melatonin via transplacental transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of melatonin in embryo-fetal development.
- To explore melatonin's influence on pregnancy outcomes and fetal neuroprotection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on melatonin's involvement in pregnancy and fetal development.
- Analysis of research on melatonin concentrations during gestation and receptor distribution in fetuses.
Main Results:
- Melatonin is crucial for pregnancy outcomes, from oocyte quality to parturition.
- Maternal melatonin concentrations increase after 24 weeks of gestation, peaking after 32 weeks.
- Melatonin receptors are present in embryos and fetuses early on, and melatonin demonstrates neuroprotective effects in compromised pregnancies.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin significantly influences embryo-fetal development and supports normal pregnancy progression.
- Maternal melatonin is essential for fetal development, particularly neuroprotection.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate melatonin's impact beyond circadian rhythm regulation in fetal development.
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