Biomaterial Database

Oxytocin release induced by melatonin in the ewe. 1985

M G Ross, and R D Leake, and H Stegner, and G Ervin, and D A Fisher

The pineal gland indolamine melatonin now appears to be a primary mediator of the timing of estrus in mammals. Because the neurohypophyseal nonapeptides arginine vasotocin and oxytocin have recently been identified in the pineal glands of several species, we sought to assess the possibility of an interaction between melatonin and the neurohypophyseal hormones. An acute melatonin infusion (216 mumol) was administered to pregnant and nonpregnant ewes. Although plasma arginine vasopressin and arginine vasotocin levels did not change, melatonin produced a significant increase in plasma oxytocin in the nonpregnant though not the pregnant ewe. These data suggest a possible interaction between melatonin and oxytocin in the integration of mammalian reproduction cycles.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008550	Melatonin	A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.
D010121	Oxytocin	A nonapeptide hormone released from the neurohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, POSTERIOR). It differs from VASOPRESSIN by two amino acids at residues 3 and 8. Oxytocin acts on SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS, such as causing UTERINE CONTRACTIONS and MILK EJECTION.	Ocytocin,Pitocin,Syntocinon
D010870	Pineal Gland	A light-sensitive neuroendocrine organ attached to the roof of the THIRD VENTRICLE of the brain. The pineal gland secretes MELATONIN, other BIOGENIC AMINES and NEUROPEPTIDES.	Epiphysis Cerebri,Pineal Body,Corpus Pineale,Gland, Pineal,Pineal Bodies,Pineal Glands
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D004971	Estrus	The period in the ESTROUS CYCLE associated with maximum sexual receptivity and fertility in non-primate female mammals.
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001127	Arginine Vasopressin	The predominant form of mammalian antidiuretic hormone. It is a nonapeptide containing an ARGININE at residue 8 and two disulfide-linked cysteines at residues of 1 and 6. Arg-vasopressin is used to treat DIABETES INSIPIDUS or to improve vasomotor tone and BLOOD PRESSURE.	Argipressin,Vasopressin, Arginine,Arg-Vasopressin,Argipressin Tannate,Arg Vasopressin
D012756	Sheep	Any of the ruminant mammals with curved horns in the genus Ovis, family Bovidae. They possess lachrymal grooves and interdigital glands, which are absent in GOATS.	Ovis,Sheep, Dall,Dall Sheep,Ovis dalli
D014668	Vasotocin	A nonapeptide that contains the ring of OXYTOCIN and the side chain of ARG-VASOPRESSIN with the latter determining the specific recognition of hormone receptors. Vasotocin is the non-mammalian vasopressin-like hormone or antidiuretic hormone regulating water and salt metabolism.	3-Isoleucyl Vasopressin,Arginine Oxytocin,Arginine Vasotocin,Argiprestocin,Vasopressin, Isoleucyl,Vasopressin, Non-Mammalian,(8-Arginine)Oxytocin,Argiprestocine,3 Isoleucyl Vasopressin,Isoleucyl Vasopressin,Non-Mammalian Vasopressin,Oxytocin, Arginine,Vasopressin, 3-Isoleucyl,Vasopressin, Non Mammalian,Vasotocin, Arginine