Abstract
1. Melatonin was extremely effective in inducing melanosome aggregation in both dermal and epidermal melanophores of the siluroid catfish, Parasilurus asotus. 2. While precursors of melatonin, 5-hydroxytryptamine and N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, were without effects, its possible metabolites, 5-methoxytryptamine and 6-hydroxymelatonin, showed moderate action to aggregate the pigment. 3. Muscarinic cholinolytic agents, which were complete blockers of the melanin-aggregating nervous effect, had no influence in melatonin action. 4. Also, neither alpha nor beta adrenolytic agents showed an inhibitory effect on the melatonin action. 5. The conclusion is that the melanin-aggregating action of melatonin may be mediated by its specific receptors in the melanophores, and that the 5-methoxy group on the indole ring may be essential for its action.
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