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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1997; 105(2): 109-112
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1211736
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© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Melatonin and serotonin regulate the release of insulin-like growth factor-I, oxytocin and progesterone by cultured human granulosa cells

H.-J. Schaeffer1 , A. V. Sirotkin2
  • 1Laboratory of Endocrinology, Clinics of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Köln, Köln, Germany
  • 2Research Institute of Animal Production, Nitra, Slovakia
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

The direct influence of indoleamines on ovarian peptide hormones and growth factor secretion, in contrast to steroidogenesis, is yet to be throughly investigated. The aim of our in vitro experiments was to investigate the influence of melatonin and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) (0.01-10 µg/ml) on the release of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), oxytocin and progesterone by cultured human granulosa cells. It was observed that both melatonin and serotonin stimulate IGF-I release. Melatonin also stimulated oxytocin output. Serotonin increased oxytocin secretion only at the highest dose (10 µg/ml). Both melatonin and serotonin were potent inhibitors of progesterone release. The present results suggest a possible involvement of the indoleamines melatonin and serotonin in the direct regulation of growth factor, nonapeptide and steroid hormone secretion by human ovarian cells.

Key words

Melatonin - 5-HT - IGF-I - oxytocin - steroid