Abstract
Testosterone (T) and LH secretions during the first 3 months of life are well documented. In view to investigate possible changes of melatonin (MEL) secretion during this period, 26 normal male infants aged 15 days to 12 months were studied. MEL was measured by radio-immunoassay in blood samples taken at 5.a.m and in 24 hours urine samples collected during the same day. Additionally, plasma T and urinary T and LH were measured. Plasma MEL was undetectable or low up to 3 months of age, and increased later with individual values ranging from 0.4 to 6.5 nmol/l. The trend of variation of T and LH was opposite to that of melatonin. During these two periods, urinary native melatonin mean concentrations were 0.13 and 0.08 nmol/kg/24 hours respectively, without significant difference. These data demonstrate that plasma MEL is low at the time of post natal T and LH rise in male infants and increases later when testicular activity falls.
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Lemaitre, B., Roger, M., Gendrel, D. et al. Plasma and urinary melatonin in male infants during the first 12 months of life. Pediatr Res 15, 1549 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198112000-00085
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198112000-00085