ABSTRACT
The goals of the study are evaluation of the effects of food deprivation and isolation situation as a social stress on fertility; and in the following, investigation of the improving effect of melatonin as an antioxidant component. In this experimental study, We investigated histopathological and serological effects of melatonin and social stress [food deprivation and isolation] on different features of sperm and testicular tissue among 42 male rats in 7 groups including control, sham, melatonin received [M], food deprivation [FD], Food deprivation and melatonin treatment [FDM], Food deprivation and isolation situation [FDi], and Food deprivation and melatonin treatment and isolation situation [FDMi] groups. Epididymal sperms of all rats were also counted. Histopathological evaluation of the testes was done under a light microscopy to determine the number of spermiogenic cells. Serological evaluation of testosterone, corticosterone, and melatonin was performed, as well. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used, and the value of p