Melatonin as the Hormone Which Mediates the Effects of the Pineal Gland on Neuroendocrine-Reproductive Axis of the Syrian Hamster

摘要: Melatonin is the most widely investigated pineal compound. Since its discovery in 1958 by Lerner and colleagues, it has been subject of numerous biochemical physiological investigations. Its synthesis within gland extensively studied a great deal known factors which control production (Smith, 1981). Although effects on endocrine system have many different experimental paradigms (Cardinali, 1981), sites action mechanisms remain obscure. Despite prominence scientific literature, specific role as hormonal envoy continues to be questioned (Brown et al., 1981a; Pevet 1981a). If not melatonin, product could prove another indole (Reiter Vaughan, 1977), polypeptide (Benson, 1977; Benson or compound (Ebels, 1979). The following paragraphs summarize what physilogical actions melatonin. are extremely complex and, at times, appear contradictory. Many these apparent contradictions can explained come down-regulation hypothesis. studies dealt with melatonin reproduction Syrian hamster, data that will considered greatest depth herein.