Effect of exogenous Melatonin administration on Spermatogenesis in chronic unpredictable stress rat model

Abstract

This study investigated the hormonal, inflammatory, oxidant–antioxidant, and histopathological effects of exogenous Melatonin administration on Spermatogenesis in rats' chronic unpredictable stress model (CUSM). In the study, stress caused a decrease in follicle stimulating–hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), Testosterone, Melatonin, Glutathione (GSH), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH–Px), catalase, interleukin 10 (IL–10) levels and motility, and an increase in Corticosterone, nuclear factor kappa beta (NF–kB), tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF–α), interleukin 1 beta (IL–1β), interleukin 6 (IL–6), abnormal sperm, dead/live sperm ratio and exogenous Melatonin reduced inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress and improved spermatological parameters (P<0.05). Melatonin also partially corrected stress–induced changes in testicular morphology. As a result, using Melatonin in rats with CUSM may be effective in improving spermatological parameters through anti–inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.

Keywords

• Chronic stress
• spermatogenesis
• Melatonin
• antioxidant
• anti–inflammatory cytokines