A study of indoles which inhibit pineal antigonadotrophic activity in male hamsters.
Blinding adult male golden hamsters led to involution of the testes and accessory sex organs (seminal vesicles and coagulating glands) and to a regression in pituitary prolactin levels within 8 weeks. The subcutaneous implantation of either melatonin or 6-hydroxymelatonin (1 mg/wk in beeswax) prevented the atrophy of the reproductive organs and the decrease in the stores of pituitary prolactin. Two other indoles, N-acetylserotonin and 5-hydroxytryptophol, failed to counteract the reproductive effects of blinding. Both melatonin and 6-hydroxymelatonin significantly elevated plasma LH titers.
D000818:Animals; D001766:Blindness / Q000503:physiopathology; D006224:Cricetinae; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D007211:Indoles; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D008550:Melatonin