About this Research Topic
Melatonin is easily inhibited by light during the night and its absence during gestation has impacts on the offspring’s physiology. Briefly, maternal chronodisruption in experimental models induces disarray of the circadian system in the adult offspring, thereby affecting endocrine, metabolic and cardiovascular functions, in which a common feature is a lack of nocturnal increase of melatonin in the offspring.
Therefore, in the present Research Topic we want to discuss in detail the role of maternal melatonin and fetal circadian system maturation during gestation and its link with chronic diseases like metabolic disorder, hypertension and diabetes; potentially programmed in utero by chronodisruption. In addition, this Research Topic will provide recent evidence about maternal treatment with melatonin as antioxidant and as chronobiotic signal that may contribute to reverse the deleterious effects found in the adult offspring. Ultimately, our major aim is to provide new insights contributing to the understanding of the deleterious effects of chronodisruption; especially on the role played by maternal melatonin during gestation. The Topic Editors have worked on this theme already for more than 2 decades, publishing articles digging into the role of maternal-fetal circadian system and its cross talk with maternal melatonin rhythm. Potential sub-topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Melatonin synthesis and regulation;
2. Maternal Circadian System;
3. Fetal Circadian System;
4. Programming of Melatonin regulation;
5. Melatonin and reproductive Physiology;
6. Melatonin suppression and its relationship with chronic diseases; and
7. Role of melatonin in aging.
Keywords: Maternal Melatonin, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, Hypertension, Obesity
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