Effect of melatonin on the spermatogenesis of Rana hexadactyla (Lesson).
It has been reported that melatonin produces either progonadal or antigonadal effects in mammals, depending on the time and mode of administration. Information on the melatonin-effect on the testis in toads indicated varied changes during the breeding and hibernating seasons. The present study in Rana hexadactyla (Lesson), a continuous breeder revealed that administration of melatonin at a dosage of 50 micrograms/frog/day either in the morning or evening for a week inhibited spermatogenesis; however, when melatonin was administered for a longer period, this inhibitory effect was lost. Moreover, treatment with melatonin both in the morning and evening had no net effect on the testes.
Kasinathan
S
S
Department of Biology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
Gregalatchoumi
S
S
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011898:Ranidae / Q000502:physiology*; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013079:Sperm Maturation / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*
D008550:Melatonin