title: [Melatonin effects on the female genital system: a brief review].
abstract: Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland and this is linked to the day/night cycle. It is an antioxidant and plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the jet-lag stage, in several physiological reactions and in control of the biologic rhythm. Human melatonin has an important influence on the female genital system. In fact, melatonin may influence production and action of steroids, modifying cellular signalization on the target tissue. There are many evidences that the melatonin therapy may be interfering with neoplasia development, mainly of the estrogen-dependent tumor. This paper aims to analyze the actions of melatonin on the neuroendocrine, immunological and cardiovascular systems, as well as on the reproductive function.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP.
authors.forename: Carla C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Maganhin
authors.forename: Adriana Aparecida Ferraz
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Carbonel
authors.forename: Juliana Halley
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hatty
authors.forename: Luiz Fernando Portugal
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Itamar Souza de
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Oliveira-Júnior
authors.forename: Manuel de Jesus
authors.initials: Mde J
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: Ricardo S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: Edmund C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Baracat
authors.forename: José Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Soares
mesh_terms: D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D008550:Melatonin