ABSTRACT
Background: testicular damage due to spermatic cord torsion may lead to infertility. It is probably because of changes in oxidative stress factors such as malondialdehyde
Objective: to investigate the protective effect of melatonin [MLT], as an antioxidant, on testicular damage induced by acute unilateral spermatic cord torsion and detorsion [T/D] in rats
Materials and Methods: in this experimental study, 48 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups [8 rats/group]: sham group underwent right scrotal surgery only., the T/D group underwent right testicular torsion [for 1 hr] and detorsion, and the melatonin group underwent right testicular torsion, received 25 microg/kg melatonin intraperitoneally immediately after surgery of T/D. Then the histological parameters and malondialdehyde [MDA] changes were evaluated
Results: torsion and detorsion decreased the diameter of the tubules significantly compared to controls [p=0.003]. Melatonin could increase the diameter, but it was not significant [p=0.26]. The heights of the epithelium were constant in sham, T/D, and melatonin groups without any significant difference between groups [p=0.98]. Based on Johnsen's score, spermatogenesis was normal in the sham group. The torsion significantly injured all lineage cells [p<0.001]. There was no any spermatid or sperm in the seminiferous tubules. Melatonin improved the spermatogenesis significantly [p=0.02], but could not improve MDA level significantly [p=0.99]
Conclusion: severe degenerative changes of testis were induced by acute unilateral spermatic cord torsion and detorsion in rats, but it had no effect on MDA level