Increased endogenous level of melatonin in preovulatory human follicles does not directly influence progesterone production.
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.
Nakamura
Yasuhiko
Y
Department of Reproductive, Pediatric, and Infectious Science, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan. yasu-ygc@umin.ac.jp
Tamura
Hiroshi
H
Takayama
Hisako
H
Kato
Hiroshi
H
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
D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D008550:Melatonin