From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2006-04-04 22:12:44 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: dumb/weird melatonin question
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
That is actually an EXCELLENT question.
If memory serves melatonin production is decreased with age, but otherwise it might be that giving melatonin might make no difference for this one. It would not hurt to try, but may not matter.
It was actually originally due to epidemiological studies in Scandinavia (but I can't recall which country, offhand) something in the 10 to 15 years ago range which first noticed that higher levels of melatonin correlated with lower levels of a range of hormonal type malignancies. This was first noticed because people with specific types of blindness (ones that affected the eye and nerves rather than ones that were brain based) had markedly lower rates across the board for a number of such malignancies. The difference among types of blindness led to the melatonin connection.
Since then there has been not only supporting work (Some work in 2005 was really elegant.) but also work which shows the tumor rate reduction also extends to some other forms of malignancies.
So, not at all a stupid question; it actually is the same reasoning that led to better understanding of melatonin in the first place.
Excellent call! You aced it, Clover.
Personally, I would try it in case of an age related reduction in natural melatonin production in response to darkness, but while knowing that it might have no effect if the ferret's levels are already high enough.
Author wrote:
> You may remember Cookie, whose eyes were removed in December. I've ordered melatonin for her, because her lymphoma seems to be getting to the adrenal glands--or maybe she's just getting adrenal on top of everything else. Anyways, I got to thinking, melatonin works with the light/dark cycle somehow, right? So how would this work in a ferret with no optic nerves? Is she already making plenty because she doesn't get any light at all? Or would an implant do no good, because no light/dark cycle to work with? Should I just try it and see? I'm sure I'm not phrasing the question right, but I hope someone knows what I'm getting at.
> --Clover
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