The role of melatonin in polycystic ovary syndrome: A review.

Mojaverrostami S, Asghari N, Khamisabadi M, Heidar Heidari Khoei
International journal of reproductive biomedicine · 2019 · doi:10.18502/ijrm.v17i12.5789 · PMID:31970309 · PMC6943797
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⚙ AI-generated summary by gemini-2.5-flash-lite, 2026-08-02 ⓘ

This review summarizes research indicating that melatonin administration improves oocyte and embryo quality, corrects hormonal alterations, and hinders metabolic dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

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This review synthesizes evidence from clinical and animal studies to evaluate the role of melatonin in the pathogenesis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. The authors analyze how altered melatonin levels, often elevated in PCOS patients, correlate with hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress, while also examining exogenous melatonin as a potential therapeutic agent for improving reproductive outcomes. A major limitation noted is the empirical nature of current PCOS treatments and the conflicting data regarding the precise relationship between melatonin metabolites and testosterone levels across different studies. Relevance to endometriosis: listed as one indication for GnRH antagonists, though the paper's main focus is uterine fibroids.

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Abstract

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread endocrine disorder, affecting approximately 20% of women within reproductive age. It is associated with hyperandrogenism, obesity, menstrual irregularity, and anovulatory infertility. Melatonin is the main pineal gland hormone involved in the regulation of the circadian rhythm. In recent years, it has been observed that a reduction in melatonin levels of follicular fluid exists in PCOS patients. Melatonin receptors in the ovary and intra-follicular fluid adjust sex steroid secretion at different phases of ovarian follicular maturation. Moreover, melatonin is a strong antioxidant and an effective free radical scavenger, which protects ovarian follicles during follicular maturation.ObjectiveIn this paper, we conducted a literature review and the summary of the current research on the role of melatonin in PCOS.Materials and methodsElectronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Reaxys were searched from their inception to October 2018 using the keywords "Melatonin" AND "Polycystic ovary syndrome" OR "PCOS."ResultsBased on the data included in our review, it was found that the administration of melatonin can improve the oocyte and embryo quality in PCOS patients. It may also have beneficial effects in correcting the hormonal alterations in PCOS patients.ConclusionSince metabolic dysfunction is the major finding contributing to the initiation of PCOS, melatonin can hinder this process via its improving effects on metabolic functions.
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In summary, metabolic dysfunction is the major finding contributing to the initiation of PCOS, melatonin can hinder this process via its improving effects on metabolic functions. Melatonin treatment in PCOS patients can enhance the quality of the oocyte and embryo, increase the number of mature oocytes, reduce obesity, and ameliorate the proinflammatory state, which underlies the development of insulin resistance.

Coi Statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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