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“Hormone of darkness” and human reproductive process: direct regulatory role of melatonin in human corpus luteum

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the possible role of melatonin on human luteal cell function.

Methods

Corpora lutea were obtained from normally menstruating women (25–38 years old) in the midluteal phase (days 5–6 from ovulation) at the time of surgery for non-endocrine gynecologic diseases. The protocol was approved by the institutional review board of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome and all patients provided written informed consent. The corpora lutea were dated on the basis of the presumptive day of ovulation (day 0) , determined by urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) peak, ultrasound detection of corpus luteum or disappearance of the dominant follicle, and a rise in the plasma P concentration. ELISA or EIA kit and immunohistochemistry were performed.

Results

Melatonin was able to increase progesterone release and to influence the balance between luteotrophic and luteolityc factors. In addition, melatonin expression and MT2 receptor were detected, confirming the direct action of this indoleamine on CL.

Conclusions

Melatonin may play an intriguing role in direct regulation of CL function and in establishing and maintaining of initial pregnancy. In conclusion, melatonin could become a relevant medication for improving ovarian and luteal function and in the early stages of pregnancy, opening new opportunities for the management of several ovarian-luteal and pregnancy diseases.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Cosentino F., Monterossi G., Paradisi G. and Romualdi D. for corpora lutea provision.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

Author information

Author notes

  1. E. Scarinci and A. Tropea contributed equally to this work.

  2. A. Lanzone and R. Apa shared senior authorship.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of “Scienze della Salute della donna, del bambino e di Sanità Pubblica” della Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy

    E. Scarinci, A. Tropea, G. Notaristefano, O. Alesiani, S. M. Fabozzi, A. Lanzone & R. Apa

  2. Department of Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy

    V. Arena

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  1. E. Scarinci
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  3. G. Notaristefano
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  7. A. Lanzone
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  8. R. Apa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Scarinci.

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The protocol was approved by the institutional review board of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome and informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Scarinci, E., Tropea, A., Notaristefano, G. et al. “Hormone of darkness” and human reproductive process: direct regulatory role of melatonin in human corpus luteum. J Endocrinol Invest 42, 1191–1197 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01036-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01036-3

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