title: The hypothalamo-neurohypophysial response to melatonin.
abstract: The present paper reviews the findings accumulated on the role of pineal gland and its hormone - melatonin - in regulation of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system activity. Effects of modified photoperiod, pinealectomy or treatment with melatonin on the vasopressin and oxytocin biosynthesis and/or secretion have been described. Taken together, the in vivo and in vitro data suggest that the effect of melatonin on the vasopressin and oxytocin secretion depends on this pineal hormone concentration and experimental conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lódz, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Juszczak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D017440:Photoperiod; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D010904:Pituitary Gland, Posterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin; D008550:Melatonin