Effect of estrogen on melatonin synthesis in female peripubertal rats

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of estrogen on the synthesis of melatonin in female rats during the peripubertal period. The level of melatonin and of N-acetyl serotonin (NAS) and the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and of hydroxy-indole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) were determined in homogenates of pineal glands from peripubertal female Sprague-Dawley rats in the mid-dark during the daily light/dark cycle between 4 and 10 weeks of age. Ovariectomy was performed and daily administration of estradiol benzoate (E2B) was initiated at 6 weeks of age. A peak in the pineal level of melatonin and NAS and in NAT activity was observed in untreated (control) rats with intact ovaries at 6 weeks. Thereafter, HIOMT activity increased and remained unchanged. Ovariectomy at week 6 led to significant increases in the level of melatonin and of NAS and in NAT activity at week 8. At week 10, NAT activity was similar to that of control animals, but melatonin and NAS levels were slightly elevated. Ovariectomy did not affect HIOMT activity. The subcutaneous injection of a low dose (0.1 mu g/day) of E2B suppressed the ovariectomy-induced elevation of levels of melatonin and NAS and of NAT activity, similar to that seen in rats with intact ovaries. A higher dose of E2B (1.0 mu g/day) reduced the activity of NAT and HIOMT to values significantly below the control values. Results suggest that estrogen modulates the nocturnal synthesis of melatonin by the pineal gland in peripubertal female rats. The decline in melatonin synthesis during puberty may be related to an increase in the estrogen level. The inhibitory effect of estrogen in melatonin synthesis appeared to be mediated by the modulation of NAT activity.