title: Increased endogenous level of melatonin in preovulatory human follicles does not directly influence progesterone production.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the role of follicular melatonin on steroid production by human preovulatory follicles.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vivo comparative and in vitro culture studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six patients with tubal and/or male, but not endocrinological, infertility factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Follicular fluid collection during IVF. In vitro granulosa cell culture from luteinizing or growing Graafian follicles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Follicular melatonin, P, T, and E(2) concentrations. In vitro P production by granulosa cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a positive correlation between follicular melatonin and P concentrations. Melatonin did not stimulate in vitro P production by granulosa cells from luteinizing or growing follicles. Melatonin, P, and E(2) concentrations were significantly higher, but T concentrations were lower, in large follicles than in small follicles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preovulatory follicles contain a high amount of melatonin compared with that in small immature follicles; melatonin may play an important, but indirect, role in P production by human granulosa cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive, Pediatric, and Infectious Science, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan. yasu-ygc@umin.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: Hisako
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kato
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D005498:Follicular Phase; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008184:Luteal Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008550:Melatonin