Tamura Hiroshi, Nakamura Yasuhiko, Korkmaz Ahmet, Manchester Lucien C, Tan Dun-Xian, Sugino Norihiro, Reiter Russel J
Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
Fertil Steril. 2009 Jul;92(1):328-43. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.05.016. Epub 2008 Sep 18.
To summarize the role of melatonin in the physiology and pathophysiology of the ovary.
Review of literature.
University Health Science Center.
RESULT(S): Melatonin plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of many reproductive processes. Human preovulatory follicular fluid (FF) contains higher concentrations of melatonin than does plasma, and melatonin receptors are present in ovarian granulosa cells (GC). Melatonin has been shown to have direct effects on ovarian function. Reactive oxygen species and apoptosis are involved in a number of reproductive events including folliculogenesis, follicular atresia, ovulation, oocyte maturation, and corpus luteum (CL) formation. Melatonin and its metabolites are powerful antioxidants; the primitive and primary function of melatonin may be its actions as a receptor-independent free radical scavenger and a broad-spectrum antioxidant. A large amount of scientific evidence supports a local role of melatonin in the human reproductive processes. The indole also has potential roles in the pathophysiology of endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and premature ovarian failure (POF).
CONCLUSION(S): We summarize the current understanding of melatonin's essential functions in the human ovary. Melatonin could become an important medication for improving ovarian function and oocyte quality, and open new opportunities for the management of several ovarian diseases.
总结褪黑素在卵巢生理和病理生理中的作用。
文献综述。
大学健康科学中心。
褪黑素在许多生殖过程的发病机制中起重要作用。人排卵前卵泡液（FF）中褪黑素浓度高于血浆，且卵巢颗粒细胞（GC）中存在褪黑素受体。已证明褪黑素对卵巢功能有直接影响。活性氧和细胞凋亡参与包括卵泡发生、卵泡闭锁、排卵、卵母细胞成熟和黄体（CL）形成在内的许多生殖事件。褪黑素及其代谢产物是强大的抗氧化剂；褪黑素的原始和主要功能可能是作为一种不依赖受体的自由基清除剂和广谱抗氧化剂发挥作用。大量科学证据支持褪黑素在人类生殖过程中的局部作用。这种吲哚在子宫内膜异位症、多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）和卵巢早衰（POF）的病理生理中也具有潜在作用。
我们总结了目前对褪黑素在人类卵巢中重要功能的认识。褪黑素可能成为改善卵巢功能和卵母细胞质量的重要药物，并为几种卵巢疾病的治疗带来新机遇。
