Melatonin: A Silver Bullet for Fertility and Reproductive Health

Melatonin is multifaceted neurohormone secreted by pineal gland during darkness which is regulated by a small region present in hypothalamus i.e. Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Although melatonin primarily regulates the sleep and wake cycles, its effects are not limited to sleep. It also contributes to a number of physiological processes, including hormone regulation, metabolism, reproduction and body temperature regulation. Research has consistently highlighted the potential of melatonin to support reproductive health by enhancing testosterone synthesis, promoting gametogenesis, and improving both sperm quality and motility. Moreover, it has been found that melatonin improves fertilization rate and oocyte quality, making it a valuable adjunct in fertility treatments for both men and women. Beyond its role in reproductive function, melatonin also possesses potent anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and properties. These effects help safeguard reproductive cells from the harmful impacts of oxidative stress and DNA damage, further underscoring melatonin's importance in maintaining optimal fertility and overall reproductive health. Despite its potential benefits, melatonin utility in reproductive health remains controversial due to inconclusive evidence, unclear mechanism and scattered information. Additionally, the supplementation of dosage and duration of melatonin in infertility and reproductive health needs exploration. In this review, we have tried to summarize the findings from various clinical and pre-clinical studies demonstrating the therapeutic potential of melatonin in male and female fertility and reproductive health. Aim of this review is to provide a deep knowledge on the current status of melatonin's potential therapeutic effects on reproductive health with emphasis on the molecular mechanism and future directions in melatonin's utility in reproductive health.