Melatonin effects on the female genital system: a brief review

Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland and this is linked to the day/night cycle. It is an antioxidant and plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the jet-lag stage, in several physiological reactions and in control of the biologic rhythm. Human melatonin has an important influence on the f...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira (1992) 2008-05, Vol.54 (3), p.267-271
Main Authors: Maganhin, Carla C, Carbonel, Adriana Aparecida Ferraz, Hatty, Juliana Halley, Fuchs, Luiz Fernando Portugal, Oliveira-Júnior, Itamar Souza de, Simões, Manuel de Jesus, Simões, Ricardo S, Baracat, Edmund C, Soares, Jr, José Maria
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:Portuguese
Subjects:
Circadian Rhythm
Estrogens - physiology
Female
Humans
Melatonin - metabolism
Melatonin - physiology
Neoplasms - physiopathology
Ovary - physiology
Pineal Gland - physiology
Sleep - physiology
Urogenital System - physiology
Uterus - physiology
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland and this is linked to the day/night cycle. It is an antioxidant and plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the jet-lag stage, in several physiological reactions and in control of the biologic rhythm. Human melatonin has an important influence on the female genital system. In fact, melatonin may influence production and action of steroids, modifying cellular signalization on the target tissue. There are many evidences that the melatonin therapy may be interfering with neoplasia development, mainly of the estrogen-dependent tumor. This paper aims to analyze the actions of melatonin on the neuroendocrine, immunological and cardiovascular systems, as well as on the reproductive function.
ISSN:0104-4230
DOI:10.1590/S0104-42302008000300022