title: Influence of melatonin on the immune system of fish: a review.
abstract: Endocrine-immune system interactions have been widely demonstrated in mammals, whereas in fish, these relationships remain unclear. Of the organs that constitute the endocrine system, the pineal gland and its secretory product melatonin act in the synchronization of daily and seasonal rhythms in most vertebrates, including fish. Seasonal differences in immunocompetence and disease prevalence have been well documented in humans. Seasonality also strongly influences the life history of fish by controlling the timing of physiological events, such as reproduction, food intake, locomotor activity, and growth performance. Apart from its synchronizing capabilities, the role of melatonin in physiological processes in fish is not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this review is to summarize current studies on the effects of melatonin on the fish immune system. These studies suggest that melatonin represents an important component of fish endocrine-immune system interactions. The elucidation of the defense mechanisms of fish will facilitate the development of health management tools to support the growing finfish aquaculture industry as well as address questions concerning the origins and evolution of the immune system in vertebrates.
authors.affiliation: Fish Innate Immune System Group, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, International Excellence Campus, "Campus Mare Nostrum", University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain. aesteban@um.es.
authors.forename: M Ángeles
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuesta
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chaves-Pozo
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meseguer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008550:Melatonin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D009113:Muramidase / Q000276:immunology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000276:immunology; D010507:Periodicity; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D016897:Respiratory Burst; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D010544:Peroxidases; D009113:Muramidase; D008550:Melatonin