Endocrine regulation of the course of menopause by oral melatonin: first case report.
OBJECTIVE
The pineal gland, through its hormone melatonin, is involved in the mechanisms that regulate the aging process involved in the onset of menopause. Considering the melatonin changes reported during pre-, peri-, and postmenopause, an influence of melatonin on the hormonal changes associated with menopause transition could be expected.


METHODS
We report the first longitudinal case study, covering a 7.5-year period, on the effects of melatonin administration on the reproductive hormones luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and 17[beta]-estradiol during that period of the reproductive life.


CONCLUSIONS
The data obtained in this case report show that melatonin administration was able to delay the characteristic endocrine changes that occur during the course of menopause.
Diaz
Beatriz Lopez
BL
Departamento de Biologia Funcional, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain. beatrizd@uniovi.es
Llaneza
Placido Coto
PC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008550:Melatonin