title: Effect of melatonin on the spermatogenesis of Rana hexadactyla (Lesson).
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasinathan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gregalatchoumi
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin