Melatonin protects oocyte from reactive oxygen species
The bulletin of the Yamaguchi Medical School Volume 59 Issue 3-4
Page 43-51
published_at 2012
Title
Melatonin protects oocyte from reactive oxygen species
Creators
Takasaki Akihisa
Creators
Taketani Toshiaki
Creators
Tanabe Manabu
Creators
Kizuka Fumie
Source Identifiers
[PISSN] 0513-1812
[NCID] AA00594272
Creator Keywords
melatonin
oocyte
ovulation
reactive oxygen species
antioxidant
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is secreted during the dark hours at night by the pineal gland, and it regulates a variety of important central and peripheral actions related to circadian rhythms and reproduction. Melatonin is believed to regulate ovarian function by the regulation of gonadotropin release in the hypothalamus-pituitary gland axis via its specific receptors. However, it has been discovered that melatonin is a powerful direct free radical scavenger and a broad-spectrum antioxidant. High concentrations of melatonin have been found in human preovulatory follicular fluids. This study focused on the intra-follicular role of melatonin as an antioxidant in the ovary. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are locally produced during the ovulatory process, seem to play an essential role on follicle rupture. However, excess ROS can also be responsible for oxidative stress
Languages
eng
Resource Type
departmental bulletin paper
Publishers
Yamaguchi University School of Medicine
Date Issued
2012
File Version
Version of Record
Access Rights
open access
Relations
[ISSN]0513-1812
[NCID]AA00594272