Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Vol 66, 891-895, Copyright © 1988 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

The circadian rhythm of plasma melatonin during the normal menstrual cycle and in amenorrheic women

A Brzezinski, HJ Lynch, MM Seibel, MH Deng, TM Nader and RJ Wurtman
Clinical Research Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139.

Plasma melatonin, PRL, and LH levels were measured in samples collected every 2 h for 24 h from 14 normally cycling women during the early follicular, periovulatory, and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles. Plasma melatonin levels also were measured in samples collected at the same interval from 7 patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea. A distinct daily rhythm in plasma melatonin was evident in all subjects, with peaks occurring around 0300 h. Each woman's rhythm was remarkably consistent throughout the menstrual cycle (in terms of the phase, amplitude, and total melatonin secreted). Plasma PRL levels also exhibited daily rhythms which did not change during the menstrual cycle; the nocturnal peak plasma PRL level tended to occur 1-2 h after that for melatonin. Among the amenorrheic women, both daytime and nighttime melatonin levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.005) than in the normal women. Their plasma PRL levels were similar to those in the normal women. We conclude that, as for PRL, the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion does not change significantly during the normal menstrual cycle. The elevated plasma melatonin levels in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea suggest that the hormone may be involved in the neuroendocrine pathology underlying this disorder.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. L. Markantonis, E. Tsakalozou, A. Paraskeva, C. Staikou, and A. Fassoulaki Melatonin Pharmacokinetics in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Healthy Female Volunteers J. Clin. Pharmacol., February 1, 2008; 48(2): 240 - 245. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Lee Barron Light Exposure, Melatonin Secretion, and Menstrual Cycle Parameters: An Integrative Review Biol Res Nurs, July 1, 2007; 9(1): 49 - 69. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J L Zhu, N H Hjollund, H Boggild, and J Olsen Shift work and subfecundity: a causal link or an artefact? Occup. Environ. Med., September 1, 2003; 60(9): e12 - 12. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Luboshitzky, Z. Shen-Orr, R. Nave, S. Lavi, and P. Lavie Melatonin Administration Alters Semen Quality in Healthy Men J Androl, July 1, 2002; 23(4): 572 - 578. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Levallois, M. Dumont, Y. Touitou, S. Gingras, B. Masse, D. Gauvin, E. Kroger, M. Bourdages, and P. Douville Effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields from High-power Lines on Female Urinary Excretion of 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin Am. J. Epidemiol., October 1, 2001; 154(7): 601 - 609. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Luboshitzky, M. Levi, Z. Shen-Orr, Z. Blumenfeld, P. Herer, and P. Lavie Long-term melatonin administration does not alter pituitary-gonadal hormone secretion in normal men Hum. Reprod., January 1, 2000; 15(1): 60 - 65. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Kadva, O. Djahanbakhch, J. Monson, W. L. Di, and R. Silman Elevated Nocturnal Melatonin Is a Consequence of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Deficiency in Women with Hypothalamic Amenorrhea J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 1998; 83(10): 3653 - 3662. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				E. Leibenluft, P. J. Schmidt, E. H. Turner, M. A. Danaceau, S. B. Ashman, T. A. Wehr, and D. R. Rubinow Effects of Leuprolide-Induced Hypogonadism and Testosterone Replacement on Sleep, Melatonin, and Prolactin Secretion in Men J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., October 1, 1997; 82(10): 3203 - 3207. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Luboshitzky, M. Dharan, D. Goldman, Y. Hiss, P. Herer, and P. Lavie Immunohistochemical Localization of Gonadotropin and Gonadal Steroid Receptors in Human Pineal Glands J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 1997; 82(3): 977 - 981. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. L. Parry, S. L. Berga, N. Mostofi, M. R. Klauber, and A. Resnick Plasma Melatonin Circadian Rhythms during the Menstrual Cycle and after Light Therapy in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Normal Control Subjects J Biol Rhythms, February 1, 1997; 12(1): 47 - 64. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Brzezinski Melatonin in Humans N. Engl. J. Med., January 16, 1997; 336(3): 186 - 195. [Full Text] [PDF]