Radioimmunoassay of melatonin: human serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

Using a newly characterized anti-melatonin serum it has been possible to establish human serum melatonin concentrations at short time intervals during 24h. A clear circadian rhythm with peak values during the dark phase was demonstrated in both men and women. Values (pg/ml;mean +/- SE) were as follows: females 02.00h: 130 +/- 7, 18.00h: 45 +/- 5 males 02.00h: 140 +/- 11, 18,00H: 70 +/- 5. The estimation (pg/ml; mean +/- SE) of melatonin in human serum (males: 63 +/- 22 and females: 100 +/- 45) and cerebrospinal fluid simultaneously taken has shown that melatonin is lower in cerebrospinal fluid (males: 59 +/- 33 and females: 57 +/- 28). Blanks are not subtracted.