title: Melatonin as a free radical scavenger in the ovarian follicle.
abstract: This review summarizes new findings related to beneficial effects of melatonin  (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) on reproductive physiology.  Recently many researchers have begun to study the local role of melatonin as an antioxidant.  We focused on intra-follicular role of melatonin in the ovary.  Melatonin, secreted by the pineal gland, is taken up into the follicular fluid from the blood.  Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced within the follicles, during the ovulatory process.  Melatonin reduces oxidative stress as an antioxidant, and contribute to oocyte maturation, embryo development and luteinization of granulosa cells.  Our clinical study demonstrated that melatonin treatment for infertile women increases intra-follicular melatonin concentrations, reduces intra-follicular oxidative damage, and elevates fertilization and pregnancy rates.  Melatonin treatment also improves progesterone production by corpus luteum in infertile women with luteal phase defect.  Melatonin treatment could become a new cure for improving oocyte quality and luteal function in infertile women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube 755-8505, Japan. hitamura@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: Akihisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takasaki
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taketani
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: Fumie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kizuka
authors.forename: Lifa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maekawa
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Asada
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamagata
authors.forename: Norihiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sugino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008550:Melatonin