Melatonin effects on Fundulus heteroclitus reproduction

This study aimed to investigate the effects of two different doses (100 nM (M1) and 1 mu M(M2)) of exogenous melatonin on the reproductive capacity of Fundulus heteroclitus. Eight days of melatonin exposure significantly increased the fecundity and embryo survival of F. heteroclitus only in the M2 group compared with the control; the hatching rate was unaffected. Moreover, increases in the local expression of the melatonin receptor (mtnr) gene during follicle maturation were found; however, there were no differences between the experimental groups. Furthermore, in vitro melatonin-treated follicles showed a significantly higher germinal vesicle break down percentage compared with the control, while SDS-PAGE showed no difference in the electrophoretic pattern of the major yolk proteins. Nevertheless, densitometry revealed a greater intensity of the 118-, 95- and 40-kDa components in groups treated with melatonin. Finally, Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy was applied to classify the different stages of oocyte development (Stages I-II, III and IV) on the basis of their macromolecular composition. The effects induced by melatonin on oogenesis were investigated by comparing vibrational spectra of females exposed to melatonin with those of controls. Changes to the Amide I band, corresponding to an increase in beta-structure, were found in oocytes of females exposed to the highest melatonin dose. These results highlight the positive role of melatonin, which is able to enhance the reproductive capacity of F. heteroclitus. Further studies are in progress to better explain the molecular mechanisms by which melatonin treatment affects reproduction in this marine species.