Decoding photoperiodic time and melatonin in mammals: what can we learn from the pars tuberalis?

ABSTRACT

The cellular and molecular mechanisms through which the melatonin signal is decoded to drive/synchronize photoperiodic responses remain unclear. Much of our current understanding of the processes involved in this readout derives from studies of melatonin action in the pars tuberalis of the anterior pituitary. Here, the authors review current knowledge and highlight critical gaps in our present understanding.