Melatonin is a Grand Dame, she communicates with all the sex steroid hormones in a cross-talk dance and she works with progesterone to protect the kidneys from injury.
Melatonin, an indolamine mainly released from the pineal gland, is associated with many biological functions. Such as:
the modulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms,
sleep inducer,
regulator of energy metabolism,
antioxidant,
immune modulator,
natural anti-viral,
aromatase inhibitor and
even fights cancer.
Melatonin and Sex Hormones
Several pieces of evidence also recognize the influence of melatonin in reproductive physiology, called the “crosstalk between melatonin and sex hormones”.
There is evidence for the role of melatonin in gonadal steroidogenesis (formation of sex hormones) brought about by research that shows that melatonin affects multiple transduction pathways that modulate Sertoli cell physiology (very vulnerable to EDCs's btw) and consequently spermatogenesis (sperm production), and also estrogen and progesterone production.
The "cross-talk" between melatonin and estrogen, progesterone, and androgens is crucial for the correction of several possible complications occurring during pregnancy, like preeclampsia, and for the control of climacteric symptoms and even has input in the protection of tissues such as cardiac and kidney.
Melatonin has a lot to do with SIgA the immune system in the gut that "licks" what comes in and explains to the body how to proceed. So does testosterone. So you gotta believe there is going to be some crosstalk found here.
Melatonin is a Wonder
Melatonin replacement is becoming more and more needed in younger and younger.
In today's bright, lit-up world, many of us make much less melatonin at much earlier ages.
Our homes and bedrooms and towns and countries are so lit up, that our melatonin stores are waning. And these critical "cross-talks" go silent. Don’t let that happen to you and those you love!
Melatonin - Don't leave home and don't age... without it.
Reference:
The Crosstalk between Melatonin and Sex Steroid Hormones. Neuroendocrinology. 2022;112(2):115-129. doi: 10.1159/000516148. Epub 2021 Mar 26. PMID: 33774638.
I’m finding out so much about melatonin just lately. My nephew had a stroke earlier this month, and the very next day I received information about treating stroke and heart attack victims with high-dose melatonin. It also included prevention recommendations that have influenced me to rethink my regular melatonin dosing. Thank you for this additional information! ~ Val🌷