LH AND MELATONIN SECRETION PATTERNS IN PUBERTAL BOYS

Abstract

Four normal pubertal boys had plasma LH and melatonin measured at 20-minute intervals for 24-hours. All four subjects showed a significant augmentation of LH and melatonin during nocturnal sleep. There was also a significant correlation between the LH and melatonin levels (P < 0.001). These data indicate that the peripheral concentrations of melatonin which occur during sleep are insufficient to prevent spontaneous LH secretion during puberty.