Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption
Published on: July 30, 2016
Roles of melatonin in the field of reproductive medicine
Wei Yong1, Haiying Ma2, Man Na1
1Center Laboratory of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University (CMU), Shenyang, 110032, China; Department of Pharmacology, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, CMU, Shenyang, 110032, China.
Abstract:
Melatonin, mostly released by the pineal gland, is a circadian rhythm-regulated and multifunctional hormone. Great advances in melatonin research have been made, including its role in rhythms of the sleep-wake cycle, retardation of ageing processes, as well as antioxidant or anti-inflammatory functions. Melatonin can scavenge free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), a key factor in reproductive functions. Melatonin plays an important role in oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryonic development as well. The concurrent use of melatonin increases the number of mature oocytes, the fertilization rate, and number of high-quality embryos, which improves the clinical outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART). This review discusses the relationship between melatonin and human reproductive function, and potential clinical applications of melatonin in the field of reproductive medicine.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Management of Insomnia
The Pineal Gland
The primary secretion of the pineal gland is the hormone melatonin, derived from serotonin. The concentration of melatonin in the...
Major Hormones and Their Functions
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...
Circadian Rhythms and Gene Regulation

