Melatonin affects steroidogenesis and delayed ovulation during winter in vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of melatonin in ovarian activity of Scotophilus heathi particularly in reference to changes in steroidogenesis and steroid receptor expression during the anovulatory period of delayed ovulation. Female S. heathi showed an increased circulating melatonin level during the period of delayed ovulation in winter coinciding with the increased androstenedione (A4) levels, body fat and ovarian androgen receptor expression. The circulating melatonin level decreased to a low level after winter during the period of ovulation in March which also coincided with the decreased circulating A4 levels and body fat. The circulating estrogen (E2) showed two peaks corresponding with the two waves of follicular development in November and February. Both the isoforms of progesterone receptor (PR), PR-A and PR-B, remained high throughout the follicular development, but expression of PR-A declined significantly during the ovulation. The treatment with melatonin, both in vitro and in vivo, significantly increased progesterone and A4, but not the estradiol synthesis by the ovaries of S. heathi. The study further suggested that the increased androgens during winter may be primarily due to the stimulatory effect of melatonin on steroidogenic enzyme 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity. Therefore the increased circulating melatonin level in S. heathi during winter delay (inhibits) ovulation through increased androgen synthesis, but suppression of estradiol synthesis.