Melatonin: Physiological significance in sheep of ovary: Mini Review

摘要

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5methoxytrptarnine) is a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland during darkness which stimulates onset of breeding season in short day breeders (e.g., sheep) and inhibits gonadotropic activity in long day breeders (e.g., hamster).Thus melatonin could serve as an important management tool in seasonal breeders for estrus synchronization which allows control of lambing and for induction of puberty in ewe-lambs. Melatonin also reduces oxidative stress and has alters the ovarian function the through receptors present in ovarian granulosa cells (OGC).This review summarizes recent developments in the field of melatonin.