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Effects of Melatonin on Reproduction

Melatonin is a hormone that has direct influence on the reproductive systems of some mammals. A loss of melatonin production can lead to infertility with some animals. Melatonin injections can be used to bolster fertility.

  1. Source of Melatonin

    • Melatonin comes from the pineal gland, which also is in charge of the amount of melatonin that is released into the body. For some reason, when not very much light is striking the retina, melatonin is released in high amounts. The melatonin released has a strong effect on the circadian rhythms.

    Animal Reproduction

    • Unlike humans, many animals are completely incapable of reproducing during non-breeding seasons. For instance, horses are not able to produce sperm at all when outside the mating season. The mating season is determined by the amount of light exposed to the horse's retina.

    Melatonin Chemistry

    • The anterior pituitary produces gonadotropic hormones, luteinizing hormones and follicle-stimulating hormones. Melatonin has the ability to inhibit these hormones, preventing or discouraging the animal from breeding and reproducing during certain seasons.

    Consequences

    • A damaged pineal glad might fail to release melatonin. A failure to release melatonin can cause sleep disorders such as insomnia. A loss of melatonin has also been reported to cause changes in weight among hamsters. Animals that are incapable of producing melatonin might also fail to prepare their reproductive organs for the coming mating season.

    Applications

    • Horse, hamster and sheep owners can adjust melatonin levels. These levels can be lowered in order to discourage the animals from reproducing, or the animals can be given melatonin injections in order to induce a second breeding season.

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