[Melatonin and LH secretion patterns in pubertal boys (author's transl)].

Plasma melatonin and LH were measured at 20 minute intervals for 24 hours in four normal pubertal boys. All four subjects showed a significant augmentation of LH and melatonin during noctural sleep. There was also a significant correlation between the LH and melatonin levels (p less than 0.001). There were periods of episodic secretion of melanin during the diurnal waking period which seemed related to "stress". These data indicate that the peripheral concentrations of melatonin which occur during sleep are insufficient to prevent spontaneous LH secretion during puberty.