Melatonin in Amniotic Fluid During Human Parturition

Mitchell, Murray D.; Sayers, Linda; Keirse, Marc J. N. C.; Anderson, Anne B. M.; Turnbull, A. C.

doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.1978.tb14947.x

Cited by 27 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In contrast with these findings, we present evidence for high circulating levels of melatonin during the perina tal period of the rat. In humans, high melatonin concen trations in the umbilical cord blood and in the amniotic fluid have been reported [18,19], while in sheep fetuses measurable plasma melatonin concentrations have been detected [36]. Our results also indicate the existence of a circadian variation of circulating melatonin concentra tions in fetal and suckling rats as well as in their mothers.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Evidence That Circadian Variations of Circulating Melatonin Levels in Fetal and Suckling Rats Are Dependent on Maternal Melatonin Transfer

Velázquez¹,

Esquifino²,

Zueco³

et al. 1992

Neuroendocrinology

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Although the circadian variation of melatonin content in the pineal gland appears during the 3rd week of extrauterine life, recent studies suggest that the fetus perceives the day length through maternal melatonin transfer. Accordingly, we determined serum melatonin concentrations in pregnant and lactating rats and in their offsprings during the day (D) and at night (N). As compared with nonpregnant adult female rats (D: 6.0 ± 0.5 and N: 112.0 ± 5.0 pg/ml), significant increases of serum melatonin concentrations, both during the day and at night, were observed in 21-day pregnant (D: 21.0 ± 2.6 and N: 222.0 ± 7.2 pg/ml) and in 10-day (D: 20.0 ± 2.6 and N: 145.0 ± 12.3 pg/ml) and 20-day (D: 19.0 ± 1.2 and N: 140.0 ± 8.0 pg/ml) lactating animals, while a profound decrease was found in 5-day (D: 13.0 ± 1.0 and N: 50.0 ± 5.6 pg/ml) lactating rats. In addition, melatonin levels were significantly higher during the night than during the day in all the experimental groups. High levels and circadian variation of serum melatonin were detected also in 21-day-old fetuses (D: 13.0 ± 0.8 and N: 108.0 ± 4.8 pg/ml) and in 5- and 10-day-old suckling (in 5-day-old, D: 13.0 ± 0.6 and N: 71.0 ± 3.1 pg/ml; in 10-day-old, D: 17.0 ± 1.4 and N: 63.0 ± 3.8 pg/ml) rats. Circulating melatonin was not detectable in pinealectomized 21-day pregnant and 10-day lactating mothers, and in their offsprings, except for small amounts of melatonin determined at night in fetal (6.0 ± 1.1 pg/ml) and during the day (4.0 ± 2.0 pg/ml) and at night (15.0 ± 2.5 pg/ml) in suckling rats. These results demonstrate significant fluctuations of serum melatonin levels in pregnant and lactating rats and provide evidence that the circadian variations of circulating melatonin in fetal and suckling rats is dependent on maternal melatonin transfer.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Evidence That Circadian Variations of Circulating Melatonin Levels in Fetal and Suckling Rats Are Dependent on Maternal Melatonin Transfer

Velázquez¹,

Esquifino²,

Zueco³

et al. 1992

Neuroendocrinology

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“…The first publication on this subject claimed unexpectedly high concentrations of melatonin in fluid collected via amniocentesis at weeks 35–39 of pregnancy and associated with parturition [144]. This group reported melatonin values as high as 300 pg/mL fluid; these values are higher than nocturnal blood levels in young adult females or males.…”

Section: Melatonin: Female Reproductive Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peripheral Reproductive Organ Health and Melatonin: Ready for Prime Time

Reíter

Rosales-Corral

Manchester

et al. 2013

IJMS

190

120

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Melatonin has a wide variety of beneficial actions at the level of the gonads and their adnexa. Some actions are mediated via its classic membrane melatonin receptors while others seem to be receptor-independent. This review summarizes many of the published reports which confirm that melatonin, which is produced in the ovary, aids in advancing follicular maturation and preserving the integrity of the ovum prior to and at the time of ovulation. Likewise, when ova are collected for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, treating them with melatonin improves implantation and pregnancy rates. Melatonin synthesis as well as its receptors have also been identified in the placenta. In this organ, melatonin seems to be of particular importance for the maintenance of the optimal turnover of cells in the villous trophoblast via its ability to regulate apoptosis. For male gametes, melatonin has also proven useful in protecting them from oxidative damage and preserving their viability. Incubation of ejaculated animal sperm improves their motility and prolongs their viability. For human sperm as well, melatonin is also a valuable agent for protecting them from free radical damage. In general, the direct actions of melatonin on the gonads and adnexa of mammals indicate it is an important agent for maintaining optimal reproductive physiology.

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“…Likewise, measurable melatonin levels have been reported in nearly all biological fluids including cerebrospinal fluid (Young et al, 1984), saliva (McIntyre et al, 1987), bile (Tan et al, 1999), urine (Claustrat et al, 2005), synovial fluid (Maestroni et al, 2002), follicular fluid (Brzezinski et al, 1987), amniotic fluid (Mitchell et al, 1978), milk (Illnerov a et al, 1993), and seminal plasma (Luboshitzky et al, 2002;Casao et al, 2010a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Evidence of melatonin synthesis in the ram reproductive tract

et al. 2016

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SUMMARYMelatonin is a ubiquitous molecule found in a wide range of fluids, one of them being ram seminal plasma, in which it can reach higher concentrations than those found in blood, suggesting an extrapineal secretion by the reproductive tract. In order to identify the source of the melatonin found in ram seminal plasma, we first tried to determine whether the melatonin levels were maintained during the day. For this purpose, melatonin concentrations were measured in seminal plasma obtained from first ejaculates of six rams at 6:00 a.m. in total darkness, at 10:00 a.m. and at 14:00 p.m. The melatonin concentration was higher (p < 0.05) in ejaculates collected at 6:00 a.m. than at 10:00 and 14:00. There was no statistical difference between the latter. To further corroborate an extrapineal secretion of melatonin, the presence of the two key enzymes involved in melatonin synthesis, arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) and Nacetylserotonin-O-methyltransferase (ASMT) was analyzed by RT-PCR, q-PCR and Western-blot in ram testes, epididymis, and accessory glands. The RT-PCR showed the presence of the m-RNA codifying both AANAT and ASTM in all the tissues under study, but the q-PCR and Western-blot revealed that gene expression of these enzymes was significantly higher in the testis (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of AANAT and ASMT in the testis and revealed that they were found in the Leydig cells, spermatocytes, and spermatids. Also, measurable levels of melatonin were found in testicular tissue and the tail of the epididymis. In conclusion, our study indicates that the testes are one of the likely sources of the high levels of melatonin found in ram seminal plasma, at least during the day.

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Melatonin in Amniotic Fluid During Human Parturition

Cited by 27 publications

References 8 publications

Evidence That Circadian Variations of Circulating Melatonin Levels in Fetal and Suckling Rats Are Dependent on Maternal Melatonin Transfer

Evidence That Circadian Variations of Circulating Melatonin Levels in Fetal and Suckling Rats Are Dependent on Maternal Melatonin Transfer

Peripheral Reproductive Organ Health and Melatonin: Ready for Prime Time

Evidence of melatonin synthesis in the ram reproductive tract

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