Brazilian Journal of Biology
Print version ISSN 1519-6984
REDINS, G. M.; REDINS, C. A. and NOVAES, J. C.. The effect of treatment with melatonin upon the ultrastructure of the mouse pineal gland: a quantitative study. Braz. J. Biol. [online]. 2001, vol.61, n.4, pp. 679-684. ISSN 1519-6984. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1519-69842001000400018.
In order to evaluate melatonin implication in the regulating of its own secretory process by pinealocytes, we used morphometric techniques for transmission electron microscopy. In mice treated with 100 mg of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine) by daily subcutaneous injection, we observed a decrease in number and volumetric density of lysosomes. Our results showed that melatonin influences the secretory activity of pinealocytes and participates in a complex secretory regulating mechanism.
Keywords : pineal gland; melatonin; ultrastructure.