Abstract
2 studies were performed in order to determine whether exogenous melatonin can inhibit gonadal activity independently from the pineal gland. In Experiment 1, complete testicular atrophy was induced by exposing male golden hamsters to a nonstimulatory photoperiod (LD 6:18). Animals were either sacrificed and testes weight determined, or sham-pinealectomized (intact) or pinealectomized (Px) and implanted with empty or melatonin-filled Silastic capsules (25, 100, or 300 mm long). Animals were then moved to stimulatory LD 14:10 and sacrificed 45 days later. In a 2nd study, 10-week-old male hamsters maintained on LD 14:10, were either left intact of PX and implanted with melatonin-filled 300 mm Silastic capsules. At surgery 5 animals were sacrificed and paired testes weight determined. LD 6:18 resulted in complete testicular regression. Transfer from LD 6:18 to LD 14:10 resulted in the expected testicular weight increase. Testicular growth occurred to the same degree in intact and Px hamsters receiving empty Silastic capsules. Photo-induced testicular recrudescence was prevented or supressed in both intact and Px animals at all doses. Melatonin-treated hamsters had significantly smaller testes (p less than .01) than intact and Px hamsters receiving empty capsules. In the 2nd study melatonin provoked testicular atrophy in sexually mature intact and Px maintained at LD 14:10. It is suggested that the antigonadal action of melatonin occurs by means other than the pineal gland.
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More From: Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.)
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