Evidence that Melatonin Increases Inhibin Beta-A and Follistatin Gene Expression in Ovaries of Pinealectomized Rats

Melatonin improves fertilization rate in assisted reproduction: Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…However, their study comprised only articles with an RTC design, an advantage offset mainly by the low-quality bias and the heterogeneity of the articles. In a recent meta-analysis by Mejihede et al 2021 35 with 7 articles from randomized controlled trials, oral melatonin supplementation resulted in an increase in the number of mature oocytes, and a trend for increasing CPR, albeit not significant. 32 A recent study also verified the relationship between melatonin and the increase in gene expression in rats of follistatin and of Inhibin Beta-A, substances necessary for good hormonal regulation of the ovary and oocyte maturation.…”

“…Of the 17 studies selected for this systematic review, only two articles, those by Li et al, 2019 35 and Zhang et al, 2023, 34 deal directly with the subject of ovarian hyperstimulation and the way in which melatonin can be a hormone that aids reproductive results. Li et al, 2019, concluded that melatonin produced by the follicular follicle helps predict OHSS, while Zhang et al, 2020, took a deeper approach.…”

“… 32 A recent study also verified the relationship between melatonin and the increase in gene expression in rats of follistatin and of Inhibin Beta-A, substances necessary for good hormonal regulation of the ovary and oocyte maturation. 35 One of the mechanisms may be through the melatonin receptor in ovarian follicles, but there are also other mechanisms that do not depend on the receptor and are related to antioxidant substances. 32 , 34 , 35 , 37 …”

Melatonin protects against ovarian damage by inhibiting autophagy in granulosa cells in rats

“…The animals were fed standard chow and housed in 25°C temperature-controlled rooms with 40–70% relative humidity with the minimum noise level. 26 All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. This study was approved by Weifang People's Hospital (protocol number: XJTU2AF201-08).…”

The Crosstalk between Melatonin and Sex Steroid Hormones

“…Therefore, melatonin may modulate the LH action in steroidogenesis and apoptosis through this pathway, at least, in ovarian thecae cells. A recent study showed that melatonin increased the expression of inhibin beta and follistatin in the ovaries of pinealectomized female rats, playing a role in the gonadotropin regulation, mainly on FSH, and in ovary steroidogenesis [110].…”