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Published on: October 7, 2020
Morphometric evaluation of seminiferous tubules in aged mice testes after melatonin administration
Fereshteh Mehraein1, Feraidoon Negahdar
1Anatomy Department, Medical School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Objective:
Melatonin, the pineal gland hormone as a direct or indirect antioxidant and free radical scavenger, is involved in the process of both aging and age-related diseases. This study investigates the effects of melatonin on the histology of testicular seminiferous tubules in aged mice.
Materials And Methods:
Twenty male, white mice, aged 16 months, that weighed 20-23 gr were equally divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group was intraperitoneally injected with a daily single dose of 10 mg/kg melatonin for 14 days. The control group received only saline. Six days after the last injection, all mice were sacrificed and the testes were excised and processed for light microscope observation. In the morphometric study, we evaluated testicular seminiferous tubule parameters such as height of germinal epithelium, seminiferous tubule diameter, thickness of interstitial connective tissue and spermatogenesis index (SI). SPSS software and student's t-test analyzed all parameters to assess the significance of changes between control and experimental groups.
Results:
Melatonin-treated mice had seminiferous tubules with a wide lumen lined by low height germinal epithelium. The interstitial connective tissue thickened significantly in the experimental group (p<0.05), tubular diameter and germinal epithelium height decreased significantly (p<0.01), and the SI reduced compared to the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
The results of this study showed the disadvantages of melatonin on seminiferous tubules of aged mice testes.
Insights
Melatonin negatively impacts testicular histology in aged mice. Daily melatonin injections led to reduced germinal epithelium height, tubular diameter, and spermatogenesis index, indicating potential reproductive disadvantages.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Gerontology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Melatonin, a hormone from the pineal gland, acts as an antioxidant and is linked to aging and age-related diseases.
- Its role in reproductive health, particularly in aged individuals, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the histological effects of melatonin administration on testicular seminiferous tubules in aged mice.
- To assess the impact of melatonin on key morphometric parameters of the testes.
Main Methods:
- Aged mice (16 months) were divided into control (saline) and experimental (10 mg/kg melatonin daily for 14 days) groups.
- Testes were analyzed using light microscopy, evaluating germinal epithelium height, tubule diameter, interstitial tissue thickness, and spermatogenesis index (SI).
- Statistical analysis employed SPSS software and student's t-test.
Main Results:
- Melatonin treatment resulted in significantly decreased germinal epithelium height (p<0.01) and seminiferous tubule diameter (p<0.01).
- A significant increase in interstitial connective tissue thickness (p<0.05) and a marked reduction in the spermatogenesis index (p<0.001) were observed.
- These changes indicate adverse effects on testicular structure and function.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin administration demonstrated detrimental effects on the histology of testicular seminiferous tubules in aged mice.
- The findings suggest potential disadvantages of melatonin use concerning male reproductive health in aging populations.
