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The pineal gland: An intermediary between the environment and the endocrine system

1983; Elsevier BV; Volume: 8; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0306-4530(83)90039-2

1873-3360

Rüssel J. Reiter,

Circadian rhythm and melatonin

Although the effects of the pineal gland on the reproductive system have been defined in some depth, the gland has a range of actions on other endocrine glands as well. Some of the extra-reproductive effects of the pineal may be secondary to changes in the neuroendocrine-reproductive axis, although others may well be direct consequences of the secretion of pineal hormonal agents. This review will consider the role of the pineal gland and one of its hormonal products, melatonin, in the control of the neuroendocrine axis. Since the bulk of the investigations to date have been concerned with the interaction of the pineal gland with the reproductive system, this area of research will be emphasized in the following discussion. On the other hand, some of its other actions also will be considered.