Melatonin Synthesis by the Retina

Abstract

Melatonin fulfills many of the criteria for classification as a hormone. Until recently it was considered to be elaborated exclusively by pineal organs. Melatonin synthesis by other tissues has been indicated but not demonstrated unequivocally. Trout retinas in a whole-organ culture system in vitro synthesized tritiated melatonin from a substrate containing tritiated serotonin. This raises the possibility that the trout retina is an endocrine organ.