Journal: Journal of Fish Biology

This study examines the role of melatonin in regulating the immune responses of the freshwater fish Channa punctatus. In vitro experiments demonstrated that melatonin boosts vital immune functions, including phagocytic activity, superoxide production, nitric oxide generation and lymphocyte proliferation in spleen and head kidney cells. The use of the melatonin receptor antagonist, Luzindole and the Adenylate Cyclase inhibitor, SQ 22536 confirm that melatonin exerts its immune-stimulatory properties through receptor-mediated mechanisms involving the cAMP signaling pathway. These findings highlight the potential of melatonin as an important immune-modulator that may improve disease resistance in fish.