title: Melatonin effects on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis in fish.
abstract: Melatonin, a hormonal output signal of vertebrate circadian clocks, contributes to synchronizing behaviors and neuroendocrine regulations with the daily and annual variations of the photoperiod. Conservation and diversity characterize the melatonin system: conservation because its pattern of production and synchronizing properties are a constant among vertebrates; and diversity because regulation of both its synthesis and modes of action have been profoundly modified during vertebrate evolution. Studies of the targets and modes of action of melatonin in fish, and their parallels in mammals, are of interest to our understanding of time-related neuroendocrine regulation and its evolution from fish to mammals, as well as for aquacultural purposes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Aragó, UMR 7628/GDR2821, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC) and CNRS, B.P. 44, Avenue du Fontaulé, F-66651, Banyuls-sur-Mer Cedex, France. falcon@obs-banyuls.fr
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falcón
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Besseau
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sauzet
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boeuf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D044094:Receptors, Melatonin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D044094:Receptors, Melatonin; D008550:Melatonin