The synthesis and function of melatonin in the ovary

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Melatonin is originally identified in the pineal gland, where it is synthesized enzymatically from serotonin by the sequential action of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) and acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT). Our data revealed that AANAT and ASMT are expressed in the adult rat ovary. like the pineal gland. AANAT protein is localized to the oocyte, corpus luteum, and medulla including mast cells. AANAT protein was found in oocytes at all stages of follicular development, and its levels in oocytes increased progressively throughout the follicular development. Furthermore, we showed that melatonin is synthesized from serotonin in oocytes. Melatonin synthesized in the oocyte may be implicated in its own growth and/or maturation, for example, by acting as a calmodulin antagonist and/or an antioxidant.