After decades of contradictory results it has become apparent that the mammalian pineal exerts an inhibitory influence on several neuroendocrine functions, namely the hypophysial-gonadal system, the adrenal cortex and the thyroid gland (Wurtman, Axelrod & Kelly, 1968). Among pineal secretory products the best characterized is melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine), which reverses many of the endocrine changes that follow pinealectomy and mimics the effect of injecting pineal extracts into experimental animals. In the last 15 years considerable information has been accumulated on the mechanisms involved in the regulation of pineal melatonin synthesis; very little is known, however, about the biochemical processes evoked by melatonin in its target organs. Exogenous melatonin has been shown to become concentrated within the hypothalamus (Antón-Tay & Wurtman, 1969; Cardinali, Hyyppä & Wurtman, 1973). Implants of melatonin in the hypothalamus decrease pituitary gonadotrophin levels (Fraschini, 1969); moreover, melatonin perfusions of the third ventricle decrease plasma levels of
Journal of Endocrinology is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Downloads | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Online ISSN: 1479-6805
Print ISSN: 0022-0795
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519
