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Basini G, Grasselli F. Role of Melatonin in Ovarian Function. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:644. [PMID: 38396612 PMCID: PMC10885985 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a hormone mainly produced by the pineal gland in the absence of light stimuli. The light, in fact, hits the retina, which sends a signal to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which inhibits the synthesis of the hormone by the epiphysis. Mostly by interacting with MT1/MT2 membrane receptors, melatonin performs various physiological actions, among which are its regulation of the sleep-wake cycle and its control of the immune system. One of its best known functions is its non-enzymatic antioxidant action, which is independent from binding with receptors and occurs by electron donation. The hormone is also an indicator of the photoperiod in seasonally reproducing mammals, which are divided into long-day and short-day breeders according to the time of year in which they are sexually active and fertile. It is known that melatonin acts at the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis level in many species. In particular, it inhibits the hypothalamic release of GnRH, with a consequent alteration of FSH and LH levels. The present paper mainly aims to review the ovarian effect of melatonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Basini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy;
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Coelho LA, Silva LA, Reway AP, Buonfiglio DDC, Andrade-Silva J, Gomes PRL, Cipolla-Neto J. Seasonal Variation of Melatonin Concentration and mRNA Expression of Melatonin-Related Genes in Developing Ovarian Follicles of Mares Kept under Natural Photoperiods in the Southern Hemisphere. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061063. [PMID: 36978604 PMCID: PMC10044279 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the seasonal variations in mRNA expression of FSH (Fshr), LH (Lhr) receptors, melatonin (Mt1 and Mt2) receptors, melatonin-synthetizing enzymes (Asmt and Aanat) and melatonin concentration in developing follicles from mares raised in natural photoperiods. For one year, ultrasonographic follicular aspiration procedures were performed monthly, and small (<20 mm), medium (20 to 35 mm) and large (>35 mm) follicles were recovered from five mares. One day before monthly sample collections, an exploratory ultrasonography conducted to record the number and the size of all follicles larger than 15 mm. The total number of large follicles were higher during the spring/summer (8.2 ± 1.9) than during autumn/winter (3.0 ± 0.5). Compared to autumn/winter seasons, there was an increase of Fshr and Aanat mRNA expressions in small, medium and large follicles, an increase of Lhr and Asmt mRNA expressions in medium and large follicles and an increase of Mt1 and Mt2 mRNA expressions in small and large follicles during spring/summer. The melatonin levels in follicular fluid were also higher during the spring/summer seasons. The present data show that melatonin locally upregulates the mRNA expression of Mt1 and Mt2 receptors and melatonin-forming enzymes in mare developing follicles during reproductive seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Alencar Coelho
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil (J.C.-N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Luciano Andrade Silva
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Reway
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering (FZEA), University of São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil
| | - Daniella Do Carmo Buonfiglio
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil (J.C.-N.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
| | - Jéssica Andrade-Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil (J.C.-N.)
| | - Patrícia Rodrigues Lourenço Gomes
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil (J.C.-N.)
| | - José Cipolla-Neto
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB), University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil (J.C.-N.)
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Expression of arylalkylamine n-acetyltransferase (AANAT) and acetylserotonin o-methyltransferase (ASMT) in the corpus luteum of pregnant sows and synthesis of melatonin in luteal cells. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 388:167-179. [PMID: 34816281 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03556-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In vertebrates, melatonin is mainly synthesized from serotonin in the pineal gland. Many reports have documented that melatonin is also synthesized in the extra-pineal tissues, but the synthesis of melatonin in the corpus luteum (CL) of pregnant sows has never been studied. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the expression of melatonin-synthesizing enzymes, arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) and acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT), in the CL of sows during pregnancy and to investigate the synthesis of melatonin in luteal cells. Results showed that AANAT and ASMT were both expressed in the CL of sows during pregnancy, higher levels were observed in the early- and mid-stage CL, and the lowest abundance was found in the regressing CL (later-stage). The immunostaining for AANAT and ASMT was predominantly localized in the large luteal cells of porcine CL during pregnancy. Furthermore, melatonin was synthesized in luteal cells from serotonin in a dose- and time-dependent manner. And the expressions of AANAT and ASMT were upregulated by serotonin in luteal cells. In addition, progesterone (P4) secretion and cell viability were promoted in luteal cells treated with serotonin, and the stimulatory effects were blocked by luzindole (a non-selective MT1 and MT2 antagonist). Finally, the expressions of MT1 and MT2 were augmented by serotonin in luteal cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrates for the first time the developmental expression of AANAT and ASMT in the CL and a local synthesis of melatonin in luteal cells of pregnant sows, and suggests a paracrine and/or autocrine role for melatonin in luteal function.
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Progesterone Receptor Membrane Components: Key Regulators of Fetal Membrane Integrity†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:430-444. [PMID: 33048109 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pro-pregnancy hormone progesterone (P4) helps to maintain a quiescent status of uterine tissues during gestation. However, P4's functional role in maintaining fetal membrane (amniochorion) integrity remains unclear. P4 functions through its membrane receptors (PGRMCs) as fetal membrane cells lack nuclear receptors. This study screened the differential expression of PGRMCs in the fetal membranes and tested P4-PGRMC interactions under normal and oxidative stress (OS) conditions expected that can disrupt P4-PGRMC interactions impacting fetal membrane stability resulting in parturition. Human fetal membranes were collected from term and preterm deliveries (N = 5). Immunohistochemistry and western blot localized and determined differential expression of P4 receptors. Primary amnion epithelial (AEC), mesenchymal (AMCs), and chorion cell were treated with P4 alone or cotreat (P4 + OS induced by cigarette smoke extract [CSE]). Proximity ligation assay (PLA) documented P4-receptor binding, while P4 ELISA documented culture supernatant levels. Immunohistology confirmed lack of nuclear PRs; however, confirmed expressions of PGRMC 1 and 2. Term labor (P = 0.01) and preterm rupture (P = 0.01) are associated with significant downregulation of PGRMC2. OS induced differential downregulation of PGRMCs in both amnion and chorion cells (all P < 0.05) and downregulates P4 release (AMCs; P = 0.01). The PLA showed preferential receptor-ligand binding in amnion and chorion cells. Co-treatment of P4 + CSE did not reverse CSE-induced effects. In conclusion, P4-PGRMCs interaction maintains fetal membranes' functional integrity throughout pregnancy. Increased OS reduces endogenous P4 production and cell type-dependent downregulation of PGRMCs. These changes can lead to fetal membrane-specific 'functional progesterone withdrawal', contributing to the dysfunctional fetal membrane status seen at term and preterm conditions.
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D'Occhio MJ, Ghuman SS, Neglia G, Della Valle G, Baruselli PS, Zicarelli L, Visintin JA, Sarkar M, Campanile G. Exogenous and endogenous factors in seasonality of reproduction in buffalo: A review. Theriogenology 2020; 150:186-192. [PMID: 32000994 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal breeding in buffalo is influenced by exogenous (photoperiod, climate, nutrition, management) and endogenous (hormones, genotype) factors. Buffalo are negatively photoperiodic and show a natural increase in fertility during decreasing day length. The hormone melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and has a fundamental role in photoperiodic time measurement within the brain. This drives annual cycles of gonadotropin secretion and gonadal function in buffaloes. Some melatonin is released into the systemic circulation and, together with peripherally produced melatonin, acts at somatic tissues. In the ovaries and testes of buffalo, melatonin acts as an antioxidant and scavenges oxygen free radicals to reduce both oxidative stress and apoptosis. This has beneficial effects on gametogenesis and steroidogenesis. Female buffalo treated with melatonin show an improved response to estrus synchronization protocols in out-of-season breeding. Melatonin acts through melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 and the gene for MT1 (MTNR1A) is polymorphic in buffaloes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in gene MTNR1A have been associated with fertility in female buffalo. The knowledge and tools are available to lift the reproductive performance of buffalo. This is highly important as the global demand for nutritious buffalo food products has undergone a sharp rise, and continues to grow. Buffalo can make an important contribution to affordable, nutritious animal protein. This will help address global nutritional security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J D'Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sarvpreet S Ghuman
- Department of Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India
| | - Gianluca Neglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Della Valle
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro S Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luigi Zicarelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - José A Visintin
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mihir Sarkar
- Physiology and Climatology Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP, 243122, India
| | - Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Melatonin stimulates the secretion of progesterone along with the expression of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in corpus luteum of pregnant sows. Theriogenology 2018; 108:297-305. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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