Internal medicine

Luteinizing hormone

Steroid

Biology

Endocrinology

Spermatogenesis

Steroid hormone

Testosterone (patch)

Leydig cell

Melatonin

Sertoli cell

Cell biology

Endocrine system

Hormone

Medicine

Molecules

Melatonin is a ubiquitous molecule and exhibits different effects in long-day and short-day breeding animals. Testosterone, the main resource of androgens in the testis, is produced by Leydig cells but regulated mainly by cytokine secreted by Sertoli cells. Melatonin acts as a local modulator of the endocrine activity in Leydig cells. In Sertoli cells, melatonin influences cellular proliferation and energy metabolism and, consequently, can regulate steroidogenesis. These suggest melatonin as a key player in the regulation of steroidogenesis. However, the melatonin-induced regulation of steroid hormones may differ among species, and the literature data indicate that melatonin has important effects on steroidogenesis and male reproduction.

Melatonin Regulates the Synthesis of Steroid Hormones on Male Reproduction: A Review