Influence of Melatonin on the Immune System of Fish: A Review
Endocrine-immune system interactions have been widely demonstrated in mammals, whereas in fish, these relationships remain unclear. Of the organs that constitute the endocrine system, the pineal gland and its secretory product melatonin act in the synchronization of daily and seasonal rhythms in mos...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2013-04-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/14/4/7979 |
| _version_ | 1811214926056783872 |
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| author | José Meseguer Elena Chaves-Pozo Alberto Cuesta M. Ángeles Esteban |
| author_facet | José Meseguer Elena Chaves-Pozo Alberto Cuesta M. Ángeles Esteban |
| author_sort | José Meseguer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Endocrine-immune system interactions have been widely demonstrated in mammals, whereas in fish, these relationships remain unclear. Of the organs that constitute the endocrine system, the pineal gland and its secretory product melatonin act in the synchronization of daily and seasonal rhythms in most vertebrates, including fish. Seasonal differences in immunocompetence and disease prevalence have been well documented in humans. Seasonality also strongly influences the life history of fish by controlling the timing of physiological events, such as reproduction, food intake, locomotor activity, and growth performance. Apart from its synchronizing capabilities, the role of melatonin in physiological processes in fish is not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this review is to summarize current studies on the effects of melatonin on the fish immune system. These studies suggest that melatonin represents an important component of fish endocrine-immune system interactions. The elucidation of the defense mechanisms of fish will facilitate the development of health management tools to support the growing finfish aquaculture industry as well as address questions concerning the origins and evolution of the immune system in vertebrates. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T06:12:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-57280d8414d74297ad730277278bec82 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T06:12:44Z |
| publishDate | 2013-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-57280d8414d74297ad730277278bec822022-12-22T03:44:38ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1422-00672013-04-011447979799910.3390/ijms14047979Influence of Melatonin on the Immune System of Fish: A ReviewJosé MeseguerElena Chaves-PozoAlberto CuestaM. Ángeles EstebanEndocrine-immune system interactions have been widely demonstrated in mammals, whereas in fish, these relationships remain unclear. Of the organs that constitute the endocrine system, the pineal gland and its secretory product melatonin act in the synchronization of daily and seasonal rhythms in most vertebrates, including fish. Seasonal differences in immunocompetence and disease prevalence have been well documented in humans. Seasonality also strongly influences the life history of fish by controlling the timing of physiological events, such as reproduction, food intake, locomotor activity, and growth performance. Apart from its synchronizing capabilities, the role of melatonin in physiological processes in fish is not thoroughly understood. The purpose of this review is to summarize current studies on the effects of melatonin on the fish immune system. These studies suggest that melatonin represents an important component of fish endocrine-immune system interactions. The elucidation of the defense mechanisms of fish will facilitate the development of health management tools to support the growing finfish aquaculture industry as well as address questions concerning the origins and evolution of the immune system in vertebrates.http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/14/4/7979endocrine-immune systemrhythmsseasonmelatoninimmunityfish |
| spellingShingle | José Meseguer Elena Chaves-Pozo Alberto Cuesta M. Ángeles Esteban Influence of Melatonin on the Immune System of Fish: A Review International Journal of Molecular Sciences endocrine-immune system rhythms season melatonin immunity fish |
| title | Influence of Melatonin on the Immune System of Fish: A Review |
| title_full | Influence of Melatonin on the Immune System of Fish: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Melatonin on the Immune System of Fish: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Melatonin on the Immune System of Fish: A Review |
| title_short | Influence of Melatonin on the Immune System of Fish: A Review |
| title_sort | influence of melatonin on the immune system of fish a review |
| topic | endocrine-immune system rhythms season melatonin immunity fish |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/14/4/7979 |
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