Melatonin as a free radical scavenger in the ovarian follicle [Review]

Endocrine Journal

Hiromi Asada¹  Isao Tamura¹  Norihiro Sugino¹  Yoshiaki Yamagata¹  Lifa Lee¹  Ryo Maekawa¹  Toshiaki Taketani¹  Hiroshi Tamura¹  Akihisa Takasaki²  Fumie Kizuka¹  Manabu Tanabe¹ 

[1] Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube 755-8505, Japan;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Saiseikai Shimonoseki General Hospital, Shimonoseki 759-6603, Japan

关键词: Melatonin;    Ovarian follicle;    Reactive oxygen species;    Oocyte;    Granulosa cell;   

DOI  :  10.1507/endocrj.EJ12-0263

学科分类：内分泌与代谢学

来源: Japan Endocrine Society

【 摘 要 】

References(139)Cited-By(34)This review summarizes new findings related to beneficial effects of melatonin(N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) on reproductive physiology.Recently many researchers have begun to study the local role of melatonin as an antioxidant.We focused on intra-follicular role of melatonin in the ovary.Melatonin, secreted by the pineal gland, is taken up into the follicular fluid from the blood.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced within the follicles, during the ovulatory process.Melatonin reduces oxidative stress as an antioxidant, and contribute to oocyte maturation, embryo development and luteinization of granulosa cells.Our clinical study demonstrated that melatonin treatment for infertile women increases intra-follicular melatonin concentrations, reduces intra-follicular oxidative damage, and elevates fertilization and pregnancy rates.Melatonin treatment also improves progesterone production by corpus luteum in infertile women with luteal phase defect.Melatonin treatment could become a new cure for improving oocyte quality and luteal function in infertile women.

【 授权许可】

Unknown