Protective effect of melatonin against inequality-induced damages on testicular tissue and sperm parameters

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

[Study of the therapeutic effect of melatonin after food deprivation in apoptosis and oxidative stress in rat testis]

The goals of the study are evaluation the effect[s] of food deprivation as a social stress on testis structure. We also investigated the effects of melatonin treatment as an antioxidant component and inequality on the effect[s] of food deprivation. We investigated the improving effects of melatonin and social stress [food deprivation] on 42 male rats in 7 groups including control, sham, melatonin received [M], food deprivation [1/3 of control daily food] plus observation [FD], FD + melatonin [FDM], isolated FD [FDi], and FDi + melatonin [FDMi] groups. After 14 days, rats' testes were studied using immuno histochemistry and TUNEL assays to determine the number of apoptotic cells. Biochemical evaluation was taken on malodialdehide [MDA] and glutathione [GSH]. ANOVA and Tukey's tests were done to analyse the data. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results of sham group was declined for similarity to results of control group. In FD group, MDA was increased significantly [P<0.01], GSH was decreased and the number of apoptotic cells was increased, significantly [P<0.01]. In FDi group, there was no effect on the ratio of oxidative stress compared to the control group. Melatonin treatment could decrease apoptotic cells [P<0.05] and MDA concentration [P<0.05] in the FD group. Food deprivation can induce oxidative stress which is associated with increasment of apoptotic cells in testis. Isolation can compensate these effects. These results refer to inequality. Since melatonin is recognized for its anti-oxidative and improving effects, we have shown involvement of oxidative stress mechanisms on the stress of food deprivation with inequality