Abstract
The interrelationships between the immune system and the pineal hormone, melatonin, have been explored recently. The present studies investigated ted the effects of daily melatonin injections on reproductive and spleen function in male Syrian hamsters. Testes weights and serum testosterone levels were depressed after 8-10 weeks of daily melatonin injections. Melatonin-treated hamsters exhibited increased splenic lymphoproliferative responses to a polyclonal T-cell mitogen (concanavalin A (Con-A)), but decreased proliferation following stimulation with a polyclonal B-cell mitogen (lipopolysaccharide). It appears that daily melatonin injections in male hamsters increase the T-cell-mediated immune capacity while reducing the antibody-mediated immune potential. These data suggest that chronic, daily melatonin alters immune system responsiveness in hamsters by shifting the balance of cellular and humoral reactivity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 95-100 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Immunology Letters |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 1997 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Hamster
- Immune
- Lymphoproliferation
- Melatonin
- Spleen
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Immunology and Allergy