Melatonin
MELATONIN
Natural hormone secreted at night by the pineal gland. High amounts are found in the fluid of the ovarian follicles and recent research indicates that it has an important role in ovulation.
Fertility Benefits
- It neutralizes free radicals, melatonin levels decline with age and the ovaries lose this protection against radicals.
- Restores antioxidant defenses from within the ovules, improving their quality.
- It helps the maturation of the ovules and their development into good quality embryos.
- In assisted reproduction treatments it helps reduce stress levels and oxidative damage in ovarian follicles.
Studies
- The role of melatonin as an antioxidant in the follicle
- Melatonin as a free radical scavenger in the ovarian follicle
- Essential actions of melatonin in protecting the ovary from oxidative damage
- Melatonin and the ovary: physiological and pathophysiological implications
- Oxidative stress impairs oocyte quality and melatonin protects oocytes from free radical damage and improves fertilization rate