Melatonin production during childhood and adolescence:: a longitudinal study on the excretion of urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate

Cross-sectional data on urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) excretion in children suggest a constant melatonin secretion during growth. The present longitudinal study concerned, accordingly, the intra-individual stability of melatonin production during childhood and adolescence. Urine samples collected during a longitudinal investigation of healthy white children and adolescents were analyzed. Forty-six boys and 38 girls were chosen for the present study. They had passed 3-15 annual examinations between their 3rd and 18th yr of age. Each examination included the collection of urine over 24 hr. The daily urinary output of 6-OHMS of the overall 621 samples was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The analyses clearly revealed for the first time that, despite huge inter-individual differences, melatonin production remains constant in one and the same individual during childhood and adolescence. Additionally, neither a significant sex difference was observed nor was the 6-OHMS output affected by season. The dramatic decrease of plasma melatonin levels as described in the literature is mainly related to an increase in body size rather than to decreasing pineal secretion.