Melatonin is an indoleamine with crucial antioxidant properties that are used to combat inflammatory and neoplastic processes, as well as control transplants. However, the clinical applications of melatonin have not yet been fully consolidated in the literature and require in-depth analysis. Objectives: This study reviewed the literature on the antioxidant properties of melatonin in rat models. Methods: We followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses and used the PubMed, LILACS, and Cochrane databases, Google Scholar, and article references, irrespective of publication time. Results: Ten articles involving 485 rats were selected, and the effects of melatonin on antioxidant markers were investigated. Melatonin increased superoxide dismutase in nine studies, glutathione peroxidase in seven studies, and catalase in five studies. In contrast, melatonin reduced glutathione in three studies and malonaldehyde in seven of eight studies. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that melatonin effectively reduces oxidative stress.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global health emergency. Major disruption to healthcare services during the current COVID-19 pandemic will last even after its peak. Sexual and reproductive ...

The main consequence of delaying motherhood is compromising a woman's reproductive life with a decline in fertility. A critical step in assisted human reproduction is the evaluation of the quality of oocytes and embryos before embryo transfer, and age is a predominant factor in that capacity. In fact, granulosa cells (GCs) have been proposed as fundamental for the quality of oocytes due to their close biodynamic interrelationship¹ 1 Broi MG, Giorgi VSI, Wang F, Keefe DL, Albertini D, Navarro PA. Influence of follicular fluid and cumulus cells on oocyte quality: clinical implications. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2018;35(5):735-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1143-3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-018-1143-... ,² 2 Mintziori G, Mousiolis A, Duntas LH, Goulis DG. Evidence for a manifold role of selenium in infertility. Hormones (Athens). 2020;19(1):55-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-019-00140-6 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-019-00140... . Also, GCs with theca cells are the main steroidogenic cells of the ovary. The development of follicles in the ovaries begins with the proliferation of GCs, which change their shape from flat to cubic and from a single layer to a multilayer, depending on the follicular phase³ 3 Greenfield A. The molecular genetic basis of fetal granulosa cell development. Curr Opin Endocr Metab Res. 2021;18. –⁵ 5 Dompe C, Kulus M, Stefańska K, Kranc W, Chermuła B, Bryl R, et al. Human granulosa cells-stemness properties, molecular cross-talk and follicular angiogenesis. Cells. 2021;10(6):1396. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061396 https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10061396... . The aim of the present document was to perform a narrative review, focusing on the role of GCs in follicle maturation and oocyte quality, as well as in the molecular mechanisms involved in this process.

Despite literature pointing to a relation between dietary intake and menopausal symptoms, most studies have evaluated either only supplements or only specific nutrients or foods. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a systematic review of the literature regarding the association between dietary intake and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase to identify studies published between 2009 and 2019. We identified 3828 studies; after screening, 73 studies were reviewed and 19 of these investigated nutrient and food intake and eating patterns associated with the intensity of menopausal symptoms. Studies evaluating diet quality or dietary patterns showed an association between lower intensity of psychological symptoms, sleep disorders, and vasomotor, urogenital, and somatic symptoms and higher consumption of vegetables, whole grains, and unprocessed foods. Also, the intensity of these symptoms is associated with high-processed foods, saturated fats, and sugars. Regarding nutrient and/or specific food, the studies indicated an association between caffeine intake and type of fat intake and the intensity of menopausal symptoms. Dietary intake was found to be associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms; however, evidence for the association between dietary intake and menopausal symptoms is inconsistent and inconclusive, and is provided by a small number of studies.