Maternal melatonin stimulates growth and prevents maturation of the capuchin monkey fetal adrenal gland

Maternal melatonin suppression led to a significant decrease in fetal adrenal weight from 488.8 mg in control to 363.2 mg under constant light conditions.

• The absence of maternal melatonin is associated with a reduction in fetal adrenal size without affecting overall fetal or placental weight.
• Maternal melatonin suppression resulted in increased levels of a specific enzyme's genetic material, indicating accelerated maturation of the fetal adrenal gland.
• Increased progesterone production was observed in the fetal adrenal glands of mothers exposed to constant light, reaching levels similar to those of adult glands.
• Cortisone production was significantly higher in the absence of maternal melatonin, suggesting altered steroidogenesis in the fetal adrenal gland.

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