SHORT REVIEW OF REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF MELATONIN

Abstract

Epiphysis Cerebri also known as the Pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin. In 1955 Lerner and Takahashi first developed a so-called bioassay for melatonin determination based on a qualification of frog skin blanching

Now melatonin is considered a hormone (N-acetyl-5 methoxy tryptamine) produced especially at night in pineal gland. Its secretion is stimulated by dark and inhibited by light, which takes place in the pinealocytes, the cellular unit of the pineal gland. Tryptophan is converted to serotonin and finally converted to melatonin, which is an Indole. Melatonin is metabolized to 6-hydroxyl-mel in the liver and the main metabolite excreted is 6-sulphatoxy-mel and this excretion urinary component is helpful in assessing pineal gland function especially in children