Song Yubin, Yoon Minjung
Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea.
Department of Horse, Companion and Wild Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju 37224, Korea.
J Anim Sci Technol. 2025 Jan;67(1):1-16. doi: 10.5187/jast.2024.e105. Epub 2025 Jan 31.
Melatonin plays a crucial role in various behavioral and physiological aspects of animals, including regulating their circadian rhythms. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the multifaceted effects of melatonin on animal behavior, such as temperament, stress, and aggression regulation. The focus is on the complex interactions between melatonin and the hormonal and neurotransmitter systems, highlighting how melatonin interacts with cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine to influence behavior. Additionally, it investigates the effects of melatonin on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonada (HPG) axis and stress responses, emphasizing its potential to improve stress management and social interactions, thereby enhancing animal welfare. The review also examines the seasonal variations of melatonin and its impact on aggression and reproductive activities related to photoperiods, as well as its effects on learning and memory to suggest improvements in animal training methods and practices. Furthermore, it discusses the influence of melatonin on appetite and physical activity regulation, implying its involvement in metabolic processes. In conclusion, further research is needed to elucidate the complex mechanisms underlying the extensive influence of melatonin on animal behavior. Through this review, the aim is to integrate the overall knowledge about melatonin and animal behavioral temperament and to propose new research areas for animal management based on behavioral and hormonal regulation.
褪黑素在动物的各种行为和生理方面发挥着关键作用，包括调节其昼夜节律。本综述全面评估了褪黑素对动物行为的多方面影响，如性情、应激和攻击行为调节。重点在于褪黑素与激素和神经递质系统之间的复杂相互作用，突出了褪黑素如何与皮质醇、血清素和多巴胺相互作用以影响行为。此外，研究了褪黑素对下丘脑 - 垂体 - 性腺（HPG）轴和应激反应的影响，强调其改善应激管理和社交互动的潜力，从而提高动物福利。该综述还考察了褪黑素的季节性变化及其对与光周期相关的攻击行为和生殖活动的影响，以及其对学习和记忆的作用，以建议改进动物训练方法和实践。此外，讨论了褪黑素对食欲和身体活动调节的影响，暗示其参与代谢过程。总之，需要进一步研究以阐明褪黑素对动物行为产生广泛影响的复杂机制。通过本综述，目的是整合关于褪黑素和动物行为性情的整体知识，并基于行为和激素调节为动物管理提出新的研究领域。
