these results suggest that ( 1 ) retinal melatonin is synthesized in the photoreceptor , ( 2 ) the phototransduction process which produces neural signals ( i.e. , electroretinogram ) may be different from the phototransduction process which initiated the rhythmic melatonin synthesis and production in the retina , ( 3 ) the inherited degeneration of retinal photoreceptors with lower retinal melatonin levels correlates with an inherited abnormality of the pineal melatonin synthesis and/or secretion resulting in lower serum melatonin levels ( pleiotropism ) , ( 4 ) levels of pineal melatonin ( an indicator of the rate of synthesis and/or storage ) and that of serum melatonin ( an indicator of the rate of release ) may not be directly correlated , and ( 5 ) the chicken pineal secretes melatonin not only by simple diffusion but also from a bound pool of melatonin in the gland .
C0035304
degeneration
C0035298
retinal