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Protective effects of melatonin on testis histology following acute torsion-detorsion in rats
Mirhoseini, Mehri; Amiri, Fereshteh Talebpour; Malekshah, Abbas Ali Karimpour; Gatabi, Zahra Rezanejad & Ghaffari, Elmira
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
μg/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.
Keywords
Spermatic cord torsion; Testis; Melatonin; MDA; Rats
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