{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,25]],"date-time":"2026-06-25T10:47:35Z","timestamp":1782384455604,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":143,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"13","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,25]],"date-time":"2026-06-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1782345600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Biology"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The pineal gland regulates circadian physiology through the periodic production of melatonin (MLT). In addition to its established role as a chronobiotic agent, MLT regulates redox homeostasis and mitochondrial physiology. Mitochondria and redox-active molecules, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS), play essential roles in reproduction, including gamete physiology, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Although excessive oxidative stress (OS) impairs fertility, controlled ROS signaling is necessary for normal reproductive function. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence regarding MLT as a key intermediary linking circadian signaling with mitochondrial physiology and redox homeostasis. We discuss molecular pathways through which MLT regulates mitochondrial function, including activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, modulation of mitochondrial permeability transition, regulation of electron transport chain (ETC) efficiency, and apoptotic signaling. Furthermore, this study investigates MLT\u2019s ability to scavenge free radicals and activate antioxidant defense mechanisms. Moreover, we review novel findings regarding the effects of MLT in experimental animals and humans, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), and consider the translational significance of the hormone as an enhancer of fertility. We also highlight gaps in the literature, including methodological inconsistencies, supraphysiologic doses, and insufficient data from large human cohorts. Lastly, we discuss an integrative model whereby MLT may function as an important regulator of mitochondrial redox balance, with potential implications for reproductive physiology and reproductive outcomes, and propose new avenues for investigation.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/biology15131000","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,25]],"date-time":"2026-06-25T08:14:12Z","timestamp":1782375252000},"page":"1000","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Melatonin and Mitochondrial Redox Homeostasis in Reproduction: Mechanistic Links Between Circadian Signaling and Fertility Outcomes"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"given":"Sofoklis","family":"Stavros","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital \u201cATTIKON\u201d, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4112-8396","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Panagiotis","family":"Christopoulos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, \u201cAretaieion\u201d Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Stefanos","family":"Dafopoulos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University General Hospital of Patras, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2990-640X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chrysi","family":"Christodoulaki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Hospital of Chania, 73300 Chania, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-3333-2620","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Efthalia","family":"Moustakli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7716-1521","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anastasios","family":"Potiris","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital \u201cATTIKON\u201d, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maria","family":"Tzeli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-9553-6803","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Athanasios","family":"Zikopoulos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9991-8097","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Konstantinos","family":"Dafopoulos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41110 Larissa, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Peter","family":"Drakakis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital \u201cATTIKON\u201d, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"85","article-title":"Overview of Circadian Rhythms","volume":"25","author":"Vitaterna","year":"2001","journal-title":"Alcohol Res. 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