Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Melatonin: a contraceptive for the nineties

R E Silman1

  • 1Academic Unit of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Physiology, London Hospital Medical College, Whitechapel, UK.

European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology
|April 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

An enzyme immunoassay for 6-sulphatoxy-melatonin in human urine.

Journal of pineal research·1996
Same author

The purification and characterization of biological 6-sulphatoxymelatonin and comparison with synthetic 6-sulphatoxymelatonin.

Journal of pineal research·1996
Same author

HPLC assay of melatonin in plasma with fluorescence detection.

Clinical chemistry·1993
Same author

Activity rhythms of hamsters in a single cage compared to a simulated burrow system.

Physiology & behavior·1988
Same author

Constant pineal output and increasing body mass account for declining melatonin levels during human growth and sexual maturation.

Journal of pineal research·1988
Same author

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric assay for 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate and 6-hydroxymelatonin glucuronide in urine.

Clinical chemistry·1987

Seasonal breeding in animals is controlled by melatonin, which inhibits the GnRH pulse generator. Melatonin could be a novel human contraceptive by mimicking seasonal breeding patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Endocrinology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Chronobiology

Background:

  • The hypothalamic Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) pulse generator controls the pituitary-gonadal axis, crucial for reproduction.
  • GnRH analogues are used in contraceptive techniques to block this axis.
  • Seasonal variations in breeding are observed in nature, suggesting a regulatory mechanism beyond current human contraceptives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the natural contraceptive mechanism involving seasonal changes in the GnRH pulse generator.
  • To investigate the role of melatonin, regulated by darkness and the pineal gland, in seasonal breeding.
  • To assess the potential of melatonin as a novel human contraceptive agent.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on GnRH pulse generator function, melatonin synthesis, and seasonal breeding.
Keywords:
AmenorrheaBiologyCentral Nervous SystemContraceptionContraception ResearchContraceptive AgentsContraceptive Mode Of ActionDemographic FactorsDiseasesEndocrine SystemFamily PlanningHormonesHypothalamusMenstruation DisordersPhysiologyPopulationPopulation DynamicsPubertyReproductionSeasonal Variation

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of the retino-pineal pathway's role in melatonin release and its seasonal variation.
  • Examination of evidence regarding human non-seasonal breeding and potential pathway impairments.

    • Main Results:

    • Melatonin's duration of release, influenced by night length, signals seasonal changes to the GnRH pulse generator, inactivating it in winter.
    • Humans are not seasonal breeders, likely due to an impaired retino-pineal pathway, not hypothalamic melatonin function.
    • Melatonin's potential as a human contraceptive is supported, with phase III clinical trials underway.

    Conclusions:

    • The seasonal inactivation of the GnRH pulse generator by melatonin offers a natural contraceptive model.
    • Melatonin administration mimicking natural long-day breeder patterns could lead to effective human contraception.
    • Further research into refined melatonin delivery systems is essential for developing this contraceptive approach.