FUNCTION OF MELATONIN IN THERMOREGULATORY PROCESSES

Accumulated information shows that, besides its role in the timing of seasonal reproduction, melatonin also plays an important role in seasonal thermoregulatory adjustments of animals including torpor and hibernation. Furthermore, melatonin has a crucial role in circadian thermoregulatory adjustments of body temperature (Tb). Melatonin appears to send signals to the preoptic area of anterior hypothalamus (PoAH) where it adjusts the set point of Tb consistent with the metabolic rate of the animal. This new function for melatonin as a transducer mediating information about energy balance has been suggested in this review. Melatonin also adjusts the activity of the biological clock in vertebrates.