Melatonin in the Treatment of Female Infertility: Update on Biological and Clinical Findings

Many experimental and clinical studies published so far demonstrate that melatonin can be used with success in the treatment of different types of human female infertility, improving oocyte developmental competence and uterine receptivity for the implanting embro, preventing immune rejection of the implanting embryo and spontaneous pregnancy loss, and alleviating symptoms of endometriosis and adenomyosis. Yet, the use of melatonin in these indications still remains relatively limited, despite its convincing safety profile. This may be partly due to the fact that pertinent data are dispersed among different publication supports and thus do not easily reach the doctors treating female infertility issues. This review focuses on recent data concerning molecular mechanisms of action, clinical data and safety of this multifaceted biomolecule in the treatment of female infertility.