Menopause - a key aspect of aging: role of the pineal gland
To estimate the sign and measure of changes of the pineal gland volume in perimenopausal period a magnetic-resonance tomography studies of the head of men (n=72) and women (n=74) of 38-61 -year old were organized, in group divided into two subgroups with a space of 2 years. For estimation of possible dependency of the pineal gland volume on the reproductive cycle phase the similar study was organized in groups of women of the first (n=34) and second mature age (n=41) with regular cycle who were divided into subgroups by the phase of the cycle fixed retrospectively by the basal temperature graphs. The valid reduction of the pineal gland volume was registered in women of ovulate phase as well as during perimenopausal period. In context of literary data concerning recurrence and age dynamic of melatonin production by the pineal gland participation of pineal gland in «shutdown» of reproductive functions in women is supposed.