Effect of prenatal melatonin exposure on gonadotropins and prolactin secretion in male and female rat pups.
We evaluated whether melatonin administration to pregnant rats during the final week of pregnancy affects prepubertal secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin in offspring. Melatonin was administered in the drinking water from day 14 to delivery. LH, FSH and prolactin concentrations were determined in plasma sampled from offspring between 5 and 30 days in the dark portion of the diurnal cycle. Administration of 2 or 20 microg/ml melatonin did not affect LH or FSH in male or female offspring. The 20-microg/ml dose caused a significant increase in prolactin in males and females at day 15. In contrast, melatonin, 2 or 20 microg/ml, decreased prolactin at days 25 and 30 in females and day 25 in males. Thus, prenatal melatonin exposure alters prolactin secretion, but not that of LH and FSH in infantile and prepubertal male and female rats.
Okatani
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Medical School, Oko, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505, Japan. okataniy@med.kochi-ms.ac.jp
Wakatsuki
A
A
Otukonyong
E E
EE
Miyahara
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D006062:Gonadotropins; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008550:Melatonin