In the past decades, a lot of advances in understanding the biochemistry and physiology of the pineal gland have been made. There is evidence that it interacts with many endocrine as well as non-endocrine tissues to i...In the past decades, a lot of advances in understanding the biochemistry and physiology of the pineal gland have been made. There is evidence that it interacts with many endocrine as well as non-endocrine tissues to influence their metabolic activity modulating many organs and functions. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain and plays an important role in regulating the neuroendocrine system. This hormone is one of the major role players in the regulation of the circadian sleep-wake cycle. It is normally released from the pineal gland during the night in response to environmental changes in light. Studies have shown that melatonin plays a role in the regulation of many reproductive processes such as puberty, gonadal function, and pregnancy. Beside these, melatonin has been shown to be able to directly neutralize a number of free radicals and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The main objective of this review is to provide comprehensive information about the new developments in melatonin research regarding its role in reproduction. A review of international scientific literature was done and a question-and-answer format was used in an attempt to convey comprehensive information in a simple manner. This review discusses evidence currently available relating to the effect of melatonin on reproductive processes. It deliberates the mechanism of action of melatonin, its effect on puberty, testicular and ovafunction, pregnancy, and oxidative stress. A growing body of scientific evidence is suggesting that melatonin plays an important role in reproductive function. It is therefore imperative to highlight the beneficial effects of this hormone in improving the reproductive processes.展开更多
Childbirth is a stressful event for a majority of women and can have many consequences one of which is female sexual dysfunction. The main aim of pre- and postnatal health services is to fulfl physical and emo-tional ...Childbirth is a stressful event for a majority of women and can have many consequences one of which is female sexual dysfunction. The main aim of pre- and postnatal health services is to fulfl physical and emo-tional needs of mothers and babies but not sexual function of women. Also, the fact that sexual satisfaction is part of general well being and mental health is generally neglected. Sexual function of women not only is affected by childbirth, but also is infuenced by many other factors. One of these factors is culture and religion. Women’s sexual life after childbirth has different meaning in different cultures. In many conservative so-cieties with certain cultural and religious beliefs women are prohibited from having sex after childbirth. In these societies, women hear conflicting stories about risks and benefts of having sexual intercourse during post-partum period the majority of which may not be true. It has been reported that some women may be at greater risk of postpartum sexual dysfunction as neurobiologi-cal factors and genetics have been recently suggested to impact female sexual functioning. Considering the multidimensional nature of female sexual dysfunction, this problem cannot be resolved by a simple solution and not all postpartum women can be treated by the same protocol. Various treatment options, such as the use of medications, behavioural interventions and psy-chotherapy have been investigated in research studies and there is still controversy over the issue. Regarding the fact that sexually satisfed women are more men-tally healthy, routine screening during prenatal, ante-natal and postnatal visits are suggested to uncover hid-den diffculties with sexual functioning of women and improve their quality of life.展开更多
文摘In the past decades, a lot of advances in understanding the biochemistry and physiology of the pineal gland have been made. There is evidence that it interacts with many endocrine as well as non-endocrine tissues to influence their metabolic activity modulating many organs and functions. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland in the brain and plays an important role in regulating the neuroendocrine system. This hormone is one of the major role players in the regulation of the circadian sleep-wake cycle. It is normally released from the pineal gland during the night in response to environmental changes in light. Studies have shown that melatonin plays a role in the regulation of many reproductive processes such as puberty, gonadal function, and pregnancy. Beside these, melatonin has been shown to be able to directly neutralize a number of free radicals and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The main objective of this review is to provide comprehensive information about the new developments in melatonin research regarding its role in reproduction. A review of international scientific literature was done and a question-and-answer format was used in an attempt to convey comprehensive information in a simple manner. This review discusses evidence currently available relating to the effect of melatonin on reproductive processes. It deliberates the mechanism of action of melatonin, its effect on puberty, testicular and ovafunction, pregnancy, and oxidative stress. A growing body of scientific evidence is suggesting that melatonin plays an important role in reproductive function. It is therefore imperative to highlight the beneficial effects of this hormone in improving the reproductive processes.
文摘Childbirth is a stressful event for a majority of women and can have many consequences one of which is female sexual dysfunction. The main aim of pre- and postnatal health services is to fulfl physical and emo-tional needs of mothers and babies but not sexual function of women. Also, the fact that sexual satisfaction is part of general well being and mental health is generally neglected. Sexual function of women not only is affected by childbirth, but also is infuenced by many other factors. One of these factors is culture and religion. Women’s sexual life after childbirth has different meaning in different cultures. In many conservative so-cieties with certain cultural and religious beliefs women are prohibited from having sex after childbirth. In these societies, women hear conflicting stories about risks and benefts of having sexual intercourse during post-partum period the majority of which may not be true. It has been reported that some women may be at greater risk of postpartum sexual dysfunction as neurobiologi-cal factors and genetics have been recently suggested to impact female sexual functioning. Considering the multidimensional nature of female sexual dysfunction, this problem cannot be resolved by a simple solution and not all postpartum women can be treated by the same protocol. Various treatment options, such as the use of medications, behavioural interventions and psy-chotherapy have been investigated in research studies and there is still controversy over the issue. Regarding the fact that sexually satisfed women are more men-tally healthy, routine screening during prenatal, ante-natal and postnatal visits are suggested to uncover hid-den diffculties with sexual functioning of women and improve their quality of life.
