Proceedings of The Physiological Society

University of Central Lancashire (2002) J Physiol 543P, S244

Communications

The influence of melatonin on the phagocytic activity of rat testicular macrophages in vitro

Joanna Pawlak*, Jaipaul Singh†, Robert W. Lea† and Krystyna Skwarlo-Sonta*

*Department of Vertebrate Physiology, Warsaw University, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland and †Department of Biological Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK

Macrophages (mσ) are one of the main phagocytic cells involved in innate immunity having the ability to recognize, internalize and destroy diverse pathogens. Although the testes are considered immunologically privileged, with possible immunoinhibiting molecules (Hutson, 1994), testicular macrophages are known to interact with Leydig cells and modulate testosterone production. The pineal hormone melatonin (MLT) has numerous effects on the immune system (Maestroni, 1999) and peritoneal macrophages are known to possess MLT membrane receptors (Garc

Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements