Melatonin, a hormone produced by the mammalian pineal gland, influences various physiological activities, many of which are related to animal reproduction, including neuroendocrine function, rhythm regulation, seasonal behavior, gonadogenesis, gamete development and maturation, sexual maturation, and thermoregulation. Melatonin exerts beneficial actions mainly via binding with G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), termed MT1 and MT2. Melatonin receptors are crucial for mediating animal reproduction. This paper reviews the characteristics of melatonin receptors including MT1 and MT2, as well as their roles in mediating signal transduction and biological effects, with a focus on their function in animal reproduction. In addition, we briefly summarize the developments in pharmacological research regarding melatonin receptors as drug targets. It is expected that this review will provide a reference for further exploration and unveiling of melatonin receptor function in reproductive regulation.
Keywords: animal reproduction; melatonin receptors; rhythm.